Z-^-i- 


LI  BB^RY 

OF  THE 

Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 


BX  6495  .S76  L9  1834 
Lynd,  Samuel  W. ,  1796-1876 
Memoir  of  the  Rev.  William 
Staughton,  D.  D 


A      DONATION 


?j^ii 


Eeceiued 


^ 


I 


mwislipa  l\v  Lincoln. Zdiiianas  .V  C-.  Bostoii. 


MEMOIR 


REV.   WILLIAM  STAUGHTON,   D.  D. 


REV.  S.  W.  LYND,  A.  M. 

Pastor  of  the  Sixth  Street  Baptist  Church,  Cincianati,  Ohio. 


BOSTON : 

LINCOLN,   EDMANDS,   &,   CO. 

AND      HUBBARD     AND     EDMANDS,     CINCINNATI. 

1834. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1834,  by 

LINCOLN,  EDMANDS  &  CO. 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


Lewis  &  Penniman,  Printers. 
Bromfield-atreet. 


PREFACE. 


The  usefulness  of  biography  does  not  remain  to  be  test- 
ed. The  pleasure  afforded  by  a  knowledge  of  the  inci- 
dents that  have  occurred  in  the  life  of  a  distinguished 
individual,  the  satisfaction  imparted  to  the  circle  of  friend- 
ship while  retracing  the  features  of  the  honored  dead,  and 
the  influence  which  is  shed  over  the  community  by  such 
exhibitions,  are  advocates  whose  appeal  is  irresistible. 

Biography  teaches  by  example,  and  example  is,  in  many 
respects,  infinitely  superior  to  precept.  It  is  a  pleasant 
mode  of  imparting  instruction,  and  rectifying  the  obliqui- 
ties of  the  heart.  It  may  be  contemplated  as  a  mirror,  in 
which  the  beholder  has  a  view  of  his  own  defects,  and  by 
which  he  may  be  assisted  to  judge  of  the  measure  of  his 
improvement.  It  gives  less  offence  by  the  secrecy  of  its 
corrections  than  any  other  method,  and  may  be  considered 
more  animating  in  its  influence.  That  which  has  been 
accomplished,  ;rtay  he  accomplished.  The  diligent  student 
of  medicine  reads  the  life,  marks  the  toil,  gazes  upon  the 
eminence  attained  by  former  professors  of  the  science,  and 
nobly,  enthusiastically  determines,  under   the  smiles  of  a 


IV  PREFACE. 

favoring  Providence,  to  reach  the  elevation  of  Harvey,  and 
Goode,  and  Rush,  and  Wistar,  and  others,  immortalized 
by  fame.  The  youthful  aspirant  to  military  renown,  stud- 
ies the  lives  of  Alexander  and  Ca3sar,  among  the  most 
celebrated  of  antiquity — of  Buonaparte,  vv'hose  rapid  and 
successful  warfare  astonished  and  paralyzed  the  energies 
of  continental  Europe,  and  in  the  fervors  of  lofty  ambition 
is  animated  to  press  on  to  the  same  eminence.  The  min- 
ister of  God  to  fallen  man,  who  feels  a  lively  interest  in 
the  salvation  of  the  heathen,  surveying  the  labors  of  those 
distinguished  men,  who  have  sacrificed  all  for  the  sake  of 
Christ,  is  encouraged  to  follow  their  footsteps  ;  assured  that 
He  who  has  been  the  sustainer  of  Brainerd,  and  Carey, 
and  Ward,  and  Judson,  and  other  devoted  missionaries, 
will  be  his  supporter  under  the  most  perilous  circum- 
stances. 

When  the  late  Dr.  Dwight  was  a  boy,  his  father's  house 
being  the  resort  of  intelligent  and  educated  men,  he  listen- 
ed with  the  deepest  interest  to  their  conversation,  on  the 
great  men  of  the  age,  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe  ; 
and  it  is  said  by  his  biog-iapher,  that  "  he  then  formed  a 
settled  resolution,  that  he  would  make  every  effort  in  his 
power  to  equal  those  whose  talents  and  character  he  had 
heard  so  highly  extolled."  While  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chamber- 
lain, since  deceased,  was  preparing  for  those  missionary 
labors  in  India,  in  which  he  afterwards  abounded,  his 
journal  records  several  instances  of  the  etfect  of  biograph- 
ical reading.  At  one  time  he  writes — "  I  have  been  struck 
with  wonder  in  reading  the  life  of  the  pious  Mr.  Edwards. 


I 


PREFACE.  V 

What  holy  resolutions  I  What  a  sweet  fervor  of  mind  ! 
O  may  I  imitate  his  example,  especially  his  guard  over  his 
words,  his  grave  deportment  on  the  Lord's  day,  his  early 
rising,  and  his  habitual  close  thinking !"  On  another  oc- 
casion he  observes,  "  I  have  been  reading  the  life  of  that 
dear  man  of  God,  John  Eliot,  the  apostle  to  the  Indians. 
O  that  I  was  of  his  spirit !  What  love  to  God  and  man, 
what  indefatigable  zeal  did  he  manifest !" 

In  the  present  instance,  the  exalted  talents  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  Memoir,  give  him  a  claim  upon  public  atten- 
tion, and  the  public  voice  demands  that  his  valuable  ser- 
vices in  society,  and  especially  in  the  Christian  community, 
should  not  be  suffered  to  live  merely  in  the  recollection  of 
the  passing  generation.  A  large  circle  of  friends,  who 
mourn  his  departure,  are  anxiously  desiring  that  some  tri- 
bute of  memorial  should  exist  through  succeeding  days. 
His  eloquence,  his  public  labors,  his  zeal  for  every  noble 
institution,  which  the  philanthropy  of  the  age  has  reared, 
and  the  powerful  influence  which  he  exerted,  in  elevating 
the  moral  dignity  of  his  species,  imperiously  call  for  an 
illustration  of  his  history.  The  thousands  who  have  list- 
ened with  rapture  to  the  messages  of  salvation  that  flowed 
from  his  lips,  the  numbers  still  living,  from  whose  eye  he 
has  often  chased  away  the  tear  of  affliction,  those  gentle- 
men, who  have  been  trained  up  by  his  hand  for  usefulness 
in  society,  and  especially  those  whose  gifts  in  the  church 
he  aided  and  cherished  by  his  instructions,  will  review  his 
life  with  peculiar  satisfaction,  and  recall  to  mind,  with  sal- 
1* 


VI  PREFACE. 

utary  effect,  the  maxims  of  wisdom  and  piety  which  he 
was  in  the  habit  of  imparting. 

The  sources  from  which  the  materials  of  this  work  are 
supplied,  will  be  found,  partly  in  his  own  letters,  and  part- 
ly from  official  documents  associated  with  his  public  du- 
ties ;  but  much  of  the  information  designed  to  be  commu- 
nicated, is  the  result  of  personal  observation,  and  familiar 
intercourse  with  him  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  for  many 
years.  Many  of  the  facts,  however,  have  been  elicited 
from  his  particular  friends,  to  whom  the  Editor  tenders 
his  unfeigned  thanks. 

Solicited  by  friends  of  the  deceased,  and  urged  by  a 
sense  of  duty,  this  work  has  been  undertaken ;  and  it  is 
now  presented  to  the  public  with  the  hope  that  it  will  meet 
with  a  favorable  reception,  and  prove  useful  to  all  who  may 
examine  its  pages. 

Cincinnati,  Jan.  10,  1834. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Dr.  Sharp's  Letter  to  the  Editor.  11 

CHAPTER  I. 

His  ancestors — incidents  of  his  youth — early  developement  of 
talent — education — conversion — prosecution  of  his  studies 
at  the  Bristol  Institution — his  usefulness  in  neighboring 
churches — call  to  the  pastorship  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Northampton,  as  the  successor  of  Dr.  Ryland — Juvenile  Po- 
ems, written  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  -  17 

CHAPTER  n. 

Circumstances  which  led  to  his  settlement  in  this  country — the 
high  sense  which  his  brethren  in  England  entertained  of  his 
character — arrival  in  Charleston,  S.  C.  and  marriage — preach- 
ing in  Georgetown,  S.  C. — removal  to  New  York,  and  his 
afflictions  there — removal  to  Bordentown,  N.  J. — his  ordina- 
tion— circular  on  infidelity — removal  to  Burlington,  N.  J. — 
received  degree  of  D.  D.— visit  to  the  West  in  1804— death 
of  his  eldest  child.  27 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Removal  to  Philadelphia — connexion  with  the  first  Baptist 
church— condition  of  the  Baptists  in  that  church,  and  their 
subsequent  prosperity — Sabbath  morning  preaching  near  the 
Swedes'  church — extensive  labors,  and  great  popularity — 
prayer-meeting  in  Lombard-street — his  dependence  on  the 
righteousness  of  Christ — resignation  of  the  pastoral  charge  of 


8  CONTENTS  . 

the  first  church,  with  the   motives  inducing  this  step — final 
address  to  them.  57 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Constitution  of  the  Sansom-street  church — correspondence  that 
led  to  his  connexion  with  them — exercises  of  his  mind — in- 
vitation to  the  pastorship,  and  acceptance — subsequent  suc- 
cess— character  as  a  pastor — character  of  his  preaching — 
diligence  in  discharge  of  his  duties.  78 

CHAPTER  V. 

Character  of  his  preaching  continued.  96 

CHAPTER  VI. 

His  character  as  a  public  man — originator  of  the  First  Female 
Bible  Society  in  the  world — instruction  of  Theological  stu- 
dents in  Philadelphia — multiplicity  of  his  labors  in  the  be- 
nevolent institutions  of  the  day — his  hospitality — addresses  to 
Theological  students.  154 

CHAPTER  VII. 

His  missionary  spirit — labors  and  usefulness  as  Corresponding 
Secretary  of  the  General  Convention — his  sympathy  with 
the  missionaries  of  the  cross — instructions  to  missionaries — 
confidence  in  God  under  difficulties — poetry  on  the  sailing 
of  the  first  missionaries  of  the  Convention — incident  at  the 
Philadelphia  Association,  in  1829 — a  vision.  170 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

His  private  character — his  kindness,  affability  and  philanthropy 
— cheerfulness  and  simplicity  in  the  social  circle — his  hos- 
pitality— friend  of  the  widow  and  orplian — his  pleasure  in 
making  others  happy — several  letters  of  condolence — an  in- 
cident— confidence  which  his  brethren  exercised  in  him — 
letter  from  Joseph  Butterworth,  member  of  parliament — his 


CONTENTS.  9 

independence  and  decision  of  cliaracter — his  piety — constant 
effort  to  promote  piety  among  the  young,  and  to  be  useful  to 
all — his  cheerfulness.  192 

CHAPTER  IX. 

An  important  change  in  the  scene  of  his  labors — proceedings 
of  the  General  Convention  in  reference  to  it — chosen  Presi- 
dent of  the  Columbian  college — his  qualifications  for  this 
station — death  of  Mrs.  Staughton — letters  of  sympathy.  215 

CHAPTER  X. 

His  character  as  a  parent — resignation  of  the  pastoral  office  of 
the  Sansom-street  church.  233 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Part  of  his  address  at  the  opening  of  the  Columbian  college — 
his  behavior  towards  the  young  men — prosperity  of  the  col- 
lege— its  subsequent  pecuniary  distress,  and  his  difficulties 
resulting  from  this  state — resignation  of  the  presidency  and 
return  to  Philadelphia.  258 

CHAPTER  XII. 

His  appointment  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Georgetown  Literary 
and  Theological  Institution — its  influence  upon  that  place — 
his  marriage — removal  from  Philadelphia,  and  decease,  at  the 
city  of  Washington — Letters  of  condolence.  280 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Conclusion.  303 


PUBLISHERS'     NOTICE. 


By  particular  request,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sharp,  of  this  city, 
has  supplied  us  with  an  interesting  letter,  addressed  to  the 
Editor,  expressing  his  approbation  of  the  work,  and  con- 
taining several  pleasing  reminiscences  of  the  late  Dr. 
Staughton.  It  was  received  too  late  to  be  incorporated 
in  the  body  of  the  work  ;  and  it  is,  therefore,  with  the 
consent  of  the  Editor,  placed  at  the  commencement  of  the 
volume. 

We  highly  value  his  testimony  to  the  desirableness 
and  importance  of  the  Memoir  of  his  much  esteemed  tutor 
and  friend  ;  and  sincerely  thank  him  for  the  striking  facts 
which  he  relates. 

Boston,  March  1,  1834. 


DR.  SHARP'S  LETTER  TO  THE  EDITOR. 


Boston,  December  I9th,  1833. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  am  extremely  gratified  to  learn  that  you  are  jjreparing  a 
Memoir  of  your  excellent  and  honored  father-iu-law.  It 
would  have  been  discreditable  to  the  denomination,  of  which 
he  was  an  extensively  useful  and  distinguished  minister,  had 
he  been  permitted  to  descend  to  the  grave  without  a  particu- 
lar record  being  given  of  his  character  and  labors. 

Had  my  health  allowed,  it  would  have  been  a  pleasure  to 
me,  to  have  complied  with  the  wishes  of  his  friends  in  per- 
forming the  service  whicli  you  have  undertaken.  I  am 
glad,  however,  that  the  task  has  been  assigned  to  one,  who 
is  both  qualified  and  disposed  to  do  justice  to  a  man,  who  is 
entitled  to  "  everlasting  remembrance." 

The  name  of  Dr.  Staughtou  awakens  in  my  bosom  the 
most  delightful  recollections.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
amiable,  talented,  noble-hearted,  and  useful  men,  with  whom 
I  have  ever  been  acquainted.  I  was  first  introduced  to  him 
in  the  spring  of  1807.  The  circumstances  which  gave  rise 
to  that  event,  and  his  invariable  kindness  towards  me  subse- 
quently, were,  I  believe,  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  feel- 
ings which  governed  his  whole  life. 

Hearing,  by  a  mutual  friend,  that  I  had  been  licensed  to 
preach,  but  was  desirous  of  increasing  my  little  stock  of 
literary  and  theological  knowledge,  before  I  devoted  myself 
exclusively  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  ;  he  addressed  me 
in  a  most  affectionate  letter,  in  which  he  confirmed  my 
views  and  purposes,  invited  me  to  his  habitation,  and  gave 
assurance  of  his  readiness  to  aid  mc  in  a  course  of  study  to 
the  best  of  his  ability. 

So  soon  as  I  could  arrange  my  concerns,  I  accepted  his 
invitation,  and  in  the  evening  of  the  twenty-first  of  March, 
in  the  year  already  named,  I  found  myself  in  his  hospitable 
dwelling.  I  had  the  honor  of  being  his  first  theological 
student.  Although  his  engagements  were  numerous, — for 
besides  preaching  three  times   on  the  Sabbath,  and    twice 


12  DR.    sharp's    letter 

during  the  week,  he  gave  instruction  in  two  of  the  most  re- 
spectable female  seminaries  in  Pliiladelphia, — yet  I  recited  to 
him  once  or  twice  every  day,  except  on  the  Sabbath.  In 
addition  to  the  i-egular  course  of  study  which  was  prescrib- 
ed, the  almost  unreserved  intercourse  which  he  permitted 
me  to  enjoy  vvith  him,  was  of  no  small  advantage.  His  in- 
telligent remarks,  the  result  of  his  own  experience  and  ob- 
servation, concerning  ministerial  and  pastoral  duties  ;  his 
amiable  deportment  in  private  life,  and  his  able  and  eloquent 
discourses  in  public, — for  he  was  then  at  the  zenith  of  his 
ministerial  career, — were  not,  I  trust,  wholly  lost  upon  me.  I 
am  sure,  while  I  possess  the  j)ower  of  memory,  these  sea- 
sons of  delightful  and  instructive  intercourse,  can  never  be 
forgotten.  They  are  treasured  recollections,  which,  even  at 
this  distance  of  time,  cheer  many  a  solitary  hour. 

The  interest  which  Dr.  Staugiiton  felt  for  his  pupils,  did 
not  subside  when  they  were  removed  from  his  immediate 
care.  His  letters  followed  them  to  their  scenes  of  labor, 
fraught  v.'ith  expressions  of  friendship,  and  the  counsels  of 
exi)erience  and  wisdom.  He  felt  for  them  a  paternal  regard. 
If  they  were  faithful,  successful,  and  respected,  they  were 
his  glory  and  his  joy.  He  loved  to  speak  of  them  as  his 
sons  in  the  ministry  of  reconciliation. 

In  return,  his  pu})ils  felt  for  him  a  filial  veneration  and 
love.  Tiie  mention  of  bis  name,  has  often  operated  as  a 
spell  in  charming  away  the  melancholy,  which  the  coldness 
and  selfishness  of  others  had  produced,  by  calling  up  vivid- 
ly to  remembrance,  those  sunlight  seasons  in  which  they 
held  intercourse  with  one,  whose  dignity  as  a  teacher,  was 
so  blended  with  the  affability  and  kindness  of  the  man,  as 
to  inspire  the  most  timid  with  confidence,  and  the  most 
bold  with  respectful  regard. 

Dr.  Staughton  possessed  an  uncommonly  active  and  vig- 
orous mind.  I  now  feel  admiration  and  surprise,  while  I 
think  of  the  amount  of  his  intellectual  labors.  Although 
his  sermons  were  not  wholly  written,  yet  they  were  by  no 
means  extemporaneous  effusions.  They  were  the  result  of 
mtich  and  varied  reading,  and  of  deep  and  patient  thought. 
In  the  earlier  years  of  his  ministry,  such  was  his  intense 
anxiety  in  prepai-ing  for  the  pulpit,  that  it  frequently  produc- 
ed a  serious  derangement  of  his  health.     During  the  period 


TOTHEEDITOR.  13 

I  was  with  him,  I  never  heard  him  on  the  Sabbath,  more 
tliaii  once  or  twice,  when  he  had  not  notes  of  iiis  discourse, 
more  or  less  copious.  These,  however,  lie  used  so  expertly, 
tliat  persons  who  did  not  see  them,  had  no  suspicion  of  any 
paper  being  before  him. 

But  his  intellectual  efforts  were  not  confined  to  his  pre- 
parations for  the  pulpit.  He  composed  and  delivered  lec- 
tures on  Botany,  Sacred  and  Profane  History,  to  the  young 
ladies  at  the  two  seminaries  already  mentioned.  He  was 
also  constantly  extending  his  knowledge  in  different  branches 
of  physical  science  ;  and  for  two  years  at  least,  while  I  was 
with  him,  lie  was  vii-tualh/,  although  not  nominally  the  edi- 
tor of  a  monthly  periodical,  "published  under  the  patronage 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the 
United  States  of  America."  A  large,  if  not  the  largest  por- 
tion of  the  original  and  selected  matter  in  the  Vv'ork  during 
that  period,  was  contributed  by  him.  From  that  publication, 
and  tlie  Latter  Day  Luminary,  a  very  interesting  volume, 
containing  the  productions  of  his  pen,  might  be  compiled. 
It  would  be  a  treasure  of  able  essays,  ingenious  criticisms, 
striking  anecdotes,  and  beautiful  poetry. 

Dr.  Staughton  was  a  truly  benevolent  man.  He  was  so, 
both  from  feeling,  and  from  princiiile.  I  have  accompanied 
him  many  a  time  to  the  habitations  of  the  poor,  and  to  the 
couches  of  the  sick,  and  the  dying  ;  and  he  never  seemed 
more  happj",  than  when  he  was  ministering  to  their  wants, 
and  when,  by  the  utterance  of  the  tendercst  feelings,  in  the 
tenderest  language,  he  evidently  soothed  their  sorrows.  I 
need  say  nothing  of  his  untiring,  powerful  and  disinterested 
support  of  the  religious  charities  of  the  age.  Every  one 
acquainted  with  their  rise  and  jirogress,  knows  that  he  most 
readily  gave  his  time,  his  talents,  and  his  whole  influence,  in 
advancing  their  prosperit3^ 

AVhatever  might  be  his  occasional  errors  in  judgment,  he 
always  appeared  to  me  to  be  actuated  by  high,  moral,  and 
religious  considerations.  In  his  most  favorite  plans,  I  be- 
lieve he  had  never  his  own  aggrandizement  in  view.  Some 
of  them  might  have  been  impracticable,  but  they  were  not 
selfish.  I  have  known  him  suffer  wrong,  in  patient  silence; 
but  although  I  knew  him  intimately,  and  long,  I  never  knew 
him  do  a  mean,  unkind,  or  unjust  action. 

2 


14  DR.     sharp's     LETTER 

Of  his  preaching,  I  have  said  nothing.  You  had  the 
privilege  of  hearing  him  for  a  succession  of  years.  1  shall, 
therefore,  leave  it  to  you  to  describe  the  manner  in  which 
he  illustrated  and  enforced  the  great  truths  of  Christianity. 
This  will  be  a  difficult  task.  You  may  easily  repeat  what 
he  said,  but  you  will  far  surpass  my  expectation,  if  you  suc- 
ceed in  conveying  to  those  who  never  heard  him,  a  correct 
idea  of  his  action,  so  suited  to  his  word,  or  of  his  coun- 
tenance, so  exj)ressive  of  wliat  was  passing  within,  or  of  the 
intonations  of  his  voice,  wliich  penetrated  tlie  chambers  of 
the  soul,  and  awakened  in  his  liearers  emotions  of  joy  or 
grief,  of  terror  or  transport,  at  his  bidding. 

There  were  occasions,  however,  when  it  seemed  to  me, 
that  he  Iiad  more  action  and  voice,  than  his  subject  required. 
But  when  he  appeared  in  the  pulpit,  prepared  by  suitable 
reflection,  to  discuss  some  great  truth,  as  his  imagination 
kindled,  and  his  soul  expanded  with  his  theme,  he  would 
pour  forth  such  strains  of  lofty  and  yet  melting  eloquence, 
as  I  never  heard  from  any  other  man.  Many  a  time,  I  have 
seen  a  crowded  assembly,  now  held  in  breathless  silence — 
now  all  in  tears — and  now  scarcely  able  to  remain  on  their 
seats,  while  listening  to  "  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed 
God,"  delivered  with  such  sublime  and  heart-thrilling  pa- 
thos, that  if  angels  were  spectators,  they  must  have  been 
enraptured  with  the  scene. 

He  was  not  more  hapi)y  in  his  manner,  than  in  his  selec- 
tion of  subjects.  He  was  an  attentive  observer  of  passing 
events.  Whether  they  affected  nations,  families,  or  individ- 
uals, if  they  were  of  a  character  to  excite  public  attention, 
he  felt  that, 

"  To  give  to  ihem  a  tongue,  was  wise  in  man." 

His  texts  on  these  occasions  were  "  like  apples  of  gold  in 
pictures  of  silver."  Every  one  perceived  their  appropriate- 
ness. Attention  was  awakened,  and  the  instruction  thus 
imparted  could  not  easily  be  erased  from  the  mind. 

I  will  give  you  some  instances  of  his  peculiarly  happy 
talent  in  this  respect.  When  intelligence  was  received  from 
Spain,  of  the  downfall  of  the  infamous  Godoy,  who  was 
styled  the  "  Prince  of  Peace,"  he  delivered  on  the  following 
Sabbath  a  most  interesting  discourse  from  the  passage  in 
Isaiah,  "  He  shall  be  called — the   Prince   of  Peace."     I  dis- 


TOTHEEDITOR.  15 

tinctly  romcinber,  tliat  after  alluding  to  the  event,  he  de- 
scribed in  brilliant  contrast,  the  infinite  superiority  of  the 
Lord  Jcsu?,  over  all  earthly  jjrinces,  as  to  his  personal  dig- 
nity, the  extent  and  duration  of  his  authority,  and  the  bless- 
ings  of  his  reign.  At  another  time,  when  a  great  encamp- 
ment in  Euro|>o  had  been  surprised  and  routed,  by  one  of 
the  contending  armies,  he  preached  a  sermon  from  the  words, 
"  The  Angel  of  the  Lord  cncampeth  round  about  them  tiiat 
fear  him,  and  delivereth  them,"  which  almost  electrified  his 
hearers.  Placing  them  in  imagination  in  sight  of  the  camp, 
listening  to  the  clash,  of  arms,  and  the  roar  of  cannon,  and 
witnessing  the  carnage  which  ensued,  he  then  directed  their 
contem[)lations  to  the  peaceful  tents  of  the  righteous,  and  to 
their  certain  and  complete  protection,  afforded  by  the  unlim- 
ited and  encircling  power  of  the  Almighty.  Li  the  summer, 
Dr.  Staughton  ])reached  in  the  open  air,  in  Southwark,  on 
Sabbath  mornings,  at  5  o'clock.  I  heard  him  there,  just  as 
the  orb  of  day  was  ascending  above  the  horizon,  announce 
for  his  text,  "  Unto  you  that  fear  my  name,  shall  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness  arise  with  healing  in  his  wings."  In  tliat  dis- 
course he  drew  a  beautiful  parallel  between  the  glorious  ef- 
fects of  the  sun  on  all  animated  nature,  and  those  which  are 
produced  by  Him,  who  is  "  The  light  of  the  world  and  the 
life  of  men." 

I  might  easily  adduce  many  other  instances  of  his  felici- 
tous manner  in  seizing  on  the  incidents  of  the  times,  and 
improving  them  so  luminously  and  impressively,  that  the 
truths  which  he  taught  could  scarcely  ever  be  forgotten. 

On  baptismal  ociasio:is,  Dr.  Staughton  exceeded  himself. 
The  |)ower  of  the  Holy  Spirit  seemed  to  rest  upon  him  in  a 
signal  manner.  Never  did  I  hear  that  precious  ordinance, 
so  ably  explained  and  vindicated.  There  was  no  bitter  in- 
vective in  his  remarks.  He  spake  the  truth,  in  relation  to 
this  rite,  boldly,  !)Ut  in  love.  He  beautifully  exemplified  the 
advice  w^hich  he  gave  to  one  of  his  students  ;  "  at  the  water 
side,"  said  he,  "  ever  be  calm,  affectionate,  and  firm — show 
the  people  that  you  respect  them,  and  they  will  manifest  re- 
spect for  you."  There  was  a  calm  dignity  in  his  appeals, 
which  commanded  respect.  He  was  affectionate  in  his  ex- 
pressions concerninsr  Cliristi;»ns  of  other  denominations.  But 
he  was  firm  in  asserting  and  maintaining  the  primitive  mode 


16  DR.  sharp's  letter  to  the  editor. 

of  Christian  baptism.  He  was  indeed  so  peculiarly  interest- 
ing in  the  administration  of  this  rite,  that  persons  of  differ- 
ent persuasions,  frequently  went  out  of  tiie  city  to  witness 
its  performance.  I  have  seen  thousands  of  solemn  spectators 
on  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  all  evidently  "  wondering  at 
the  gracious  words  which  proceeded  out  of  his  mouth." 

But  although  he  commanded  general  admiration  and  re- 
spect and  was  indeed  a  public  man,  yet  no  one  could  feel 
greater  sympathy  in  the  pains  and  pleasures  of  private  life. 
The  following  letter  to  my  daughter,  who  was  pursuing  her 
studies  at  the  Asylum  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  at  Hartford, 
js  a  striking  illustration  of  his  affectionate  interest  for  those 
who  were  the  subjects  of  affliction. 

My  dear  child,  JVcio  York,  Jlpril  28,  1826. 

I  have  seen  with  great  satisfaction  some  specimens  of  your  hand- 
writing. I  am  surprised  at  the  degree  of  improvement.  Only  go 
on  to  improve,  and,  with  your  neat  hand,  you  will  write  a  letter 
equal  to  any  of  us. 

I  presume  you  remember  me.  If  you  do  not,  look  at  my  picture 
in  the  parlor  of  your  dear  parents,  and  then  take  up  your  pen  and 
write  the  words  "  That  is  a  friend,  that  loves  me." 

By  the  return  of  your  father,  if  the  Lord  spare  my  life,  I  will 
write  you  a  full  sheet.  I  am  rather  much  engaged  this  morning  ; 
but  I  cannot  help  expressing  my  joy  that  you  seem  desirous  of  know- 
ing and  loving  the  Lord  Jesus.  Pray  to  him — though  you  do  not 
speak  to  him,  he  can  hear  the  language  of  your  heart,  and  make  you 
his  own  dear  child  for  ever  and  ever.  He  will  take  you  when  you 
die  to  his  bosom,  and  you  will  sing  his  holy  praises  to  all  eternity. 

Give  my  affectionate  regards  to  your  beloved  mother,  and  to  your 
brother  and  sisters.     The  Lord  bless  you. 

I  am,  my  dear  Ann.  yours  very  truly, 

Miss  Ann  Sharp.  WILLIAM  STAUGHTON. 

You  will  perceive,  my  brother,  that,  cherishing  the  sen- 
timents which  I  have  so  fully  expressed  for  the  memory 
of  Dr.  Staughton,  I  cannot  but  believe,  that  a  volume,  por- 
traying his  character  and  labors,  will  be  very  acceptable  to 
his  friends,  and  very  interesting  and  useful  to  readers  gen- 
erally. 

I  am,  very  affectionately,  yours,  &c. 

Rev.  Samuel  Ltnd.  DANIEL  SHARP. 


MEMOIR. 


CHAPTER  I. 

His  ancestors — incidents  of  his  youth — early  developement  of  talent 
— education — conversion — prosecution  of  his  studies  at  the  Bristol 
Institution — his  usefulness  in  neighboring  churches — call  to  the 
pastorship  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Northampton,  as  the  successor 
of  Dr.  Ryland — Juvenile  Poems,  written  at  the  age  of  seventeen. 

The  Jews  e.«tcemed  it  their  glory,  that  they  were  de- 
scendants of  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful,  though  in 
the  steps  of  their  father  they  walked  not.  The  honors 
which  royalty  confers  have  been  the  means  of  inflating  the 
minds  of  thousands,  who  had  no  claim  to  elevation  in  the 
scale  of  being,  independently  of  such  honors.  But  the 
subject  of  thc?e  pages  merged  all  distinctions  in  this,  that 
he  was  born,  "not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor 
of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God."  This  was  the  only  dis- 
tinction which  his  ancestors,  through  several  generations, 
coveted. 

His  grand-pirents  v.-ere  William  and  Anna  Staughton. 
They  were  reckoned  among  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  in 
3 


IS  MEMOIROF 

whom  the  Lord  delighteth.  Mrs.  Anna  Staughton,  his 
grandmother,  died  in  the  year  1810,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  ninety.  At  eighteen  she  professed  faith  in  the  Son  of 
God.  For  more  than  seventy  years  she  walked  with  God, 
distinguished  for  the  peculiar  fervency  of  her  devotions, 
and  the  piety  of  her  conversation.  She  fell  asleep  in  Jesus, 
and  was  interred  in  the  Baptist  burial-ground  at  Long- 
Buckley,  in  the  county  of  Northampton,  England,  by  the 
side  of  her  husband,  who  died  triumphantly,  in  the  year 
1780. 

His  parents,  Sutton  and  Kezia  Staughton,  were  follow- 
ers of  the  ascended  Saviour.  To  them  were  born  seven 
children,  two  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  William, 
the  subject  of  this  biography,  was  the  eldest.  He  was  born 
at  Coventry,  in  Warwickshire,  England,  on  the  fourth  day 
of  January,  1770.  His  father  and  mother  were  exemplary 
members  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Coventry,  under  the  pas- 
toral care  of  the  Rev.  John  Butterworth,  author  of  the  Con- 
cordance, that  bears  his  name.  For  upwards  of  thirty 
years,  his  father  discharged,  with  fidelity  and  acceptance, 
the  office  of  deacon,  thus  purchasing  to  himself  a  good  de- 
gree and  great  boldness  in  the  faith.  At  each  deacon's 
house,  in  succession,  a  prayer  meeting  was  held  every 
Tuesday  evening.  He  was  always  among  the  first  to  be 
present,  and  nothing  but  absolute  necessity  could  induce 
him  to  be  absent.  His  talents  were  of  no  ordinary  char- 
acter, f  nd  though  a  man  naturally  modest  and  retiring,  a 
sense  of  duty  i:  spelled  him  to  exhort  at  the  meetings.  He 
afterwards  removed  from  Coventry,  and  settled  with  a 
church  in  London,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Rippon.  His  constant  aim  and  fervent  prayer  were, 
that  his  children  might  fear  God,  and  that  all  the  virtues 
of  social  and  religious  life  might  grow  with  their  growth 
and  strengthen  with  their  strength. 


D  R.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  19 

Their  former  pastor,  Mr.  Buttervvorth,  preached  twice 
on  the  Lord's  day.  In  the  evening,  Mr.  Staughton  col- 
lected liis  children  around  him,  and  explained  to  them  por- 
tions of  the  inspired  records.  This  he  did  with  great 
simplicity  and  holy  fervor,  having  chiefly  in  view  the  prac- 
tical influence  of  divine  truth  upon  their  hearts  and  lives. 
He  encouraged  them  on  these  occasions  to  propose  ques- 
tions to  him,  so  that  no  secret  objections  unanswered 
might  afford  the  tempter  of  souls  a  foundation  for  his 
unholy  devices.  William,  the  subject  of  these  pages,  ex- 
hibited, at  a  very  early  period,  that  depravity  which  is 
found  to  possess  every  human  breast;  for,  when  his  father 
invited  inquiry,  he  would  call  up  the  most  singular  and 
difiicult  questions,  with  a  view,  as  he  has  often  confessed, 
of  perplexing  his  beloved  parent,  and  gratifying  his  own 
pride. 

His  youth  exhibited  a  delicately  moulded  and  vigorous 
mind.  At  twelve  years  of  age,  he  wrote,  fv)m  Goldsmith's 
Animated  Nature,  poems,  which,  at  the  request  of  his 
friends,  were  published,  and  considered,  by  all  who  saw 
them,  promising  indications  of  future  talents  and  useful- 
ness. It  was  the  opinion  of  many,  who  were  competent 
judges,  and  had  seen  some  of  his  hasty  poetic  compositions 
in  subsequent  life,  that  if  he  had  directed  his  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  Poetry,  he  would  have  stood  as  distin- 
guished in  that  department  as  he  did  in  Theology  and 
Pulpit  Eloquence. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  was  placed  in  the  family  of 
Mr.  Claybrooke,  a  pious  man,  in  Birmingham,  to  be  in- 
structed in  the  business  of  a  silversmith.  This  adds  another 
to  the  list  of  celebrated  men  who  have  adorned  and  elevated 
society,  but  whose  origin  was  derived  from  the  humble 
walks  of  life. 

At  Coventry,  the  place  of  his  birth,  he  received  a  plain 


20  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

English  education,  but  with  this  he  was  by  no  means  satis- 
fied. He  panted  for  knowledge,  as  the  hunted  hart  for  the 
cooling  stream.  He  was  possessed  of  a  memory,  which,  by 
its  peculiar  tenacity,  enabled  him  to  store  up  for  future  use 
every  fact  with  which  he  became  acquainted,  every  scene 
he  witnessed.  In  his  studies  he  was  exceedingly  diligent, 
not  discouraged  by  difficulties,  nor  turned  aside  by  oppo- 
sition. For  some  time  after  his  engagement  with  Mr. 
Claybii^oke,  his  heart  was  fixed  on  vanity.  He  composed, 
in  his  leisure  moments,  a  great  number  of  light  pieces,  and 
in  these  appeared  to  take  great  pleasure.  But  when,  sub- 
sequently, he  became  the  subject  of  deep  conviction  for 
sin,  they  caused  him  so  much  affliction  of  spirit,  that  he 
devoted  them  all  to  the  flames. 

His  parents  designed  him  for  mechanical  employment ; 
but  the  Lord  intended  that  he  should  be  engaged  in  ser- 
vices of  a  different  character.  While  living  with  Mr. 
Claybrooke,  he  was  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  ruined 
condition,  by  hearing  a  discourse  delivered  from  the  words, 
"  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God."  For  eight  or  nine  months, 
he  was  so  distressed  by  a  view  of  his  guilt,  so  appalled  by 
the  curse  of  God's  righteous  law,  that  his  hours  of  rest 
were  turned  into  hours  of  anguish,  and  his  constitution 
yielding  to  the  intensity  of  his  mental  conflict,  it  was  feared 
that  his  existence  would  speedily  terminate.  The  best 
medical  advice  was  procured,  and  many  fruitless  efforts 
made  to  revive  his  sinking  frame.  They  at  length  pro- 
nounced it  religious  frenzy,  and  endeavored,  by  various 
means,  to  rouse  his  feelings,  and  divert  the  current  of  his 
thoughts.  One  of  his  physicians  recommended  to  him  the 
perusal  of  novels  and  romances.  This  counsel  struck  his 
mind  with  so  much  horror,  he  desired  that  physician  might 
never  again  be  permitted  to  visit  him.  One  day,  as  he  lay 
upon  his  bed,  in  the   greatest   agony,  fearing  to   close  his 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  21 

eyes  to  sleep,  lest  he  should  awake  in  torment,  tliat  cheer- 
ing passage  was  presented  to  his  mind  :  "Come  now,  and 
let  us  reason  together,  saith  the  Lord  :  tliougii  your  sins 
be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  white  as  snow  ;  though  they 
be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool."  To  use  his 
own  expressions,  "  It  was  as  though  heaven  had  been 
opened  upon  my  vision."  Then  he  could  adopt  the  strain, 
"  I  have  found  him  whom  my  soul  loveth."  Then  he  re- 
joiced with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  His  health 
being  still  feeble,  it  was  deemed  advisable  that  he  should 
visit  his  grandmother,  Mrs.  Anna  Staughton,  residing  at 
Long-Buckley,  in  Northamptonshire.  While  here,  his 
health  gradually  improved,  his  faith  increased  in  vigor,  and 
encouraged  by  the  Rev.  J.  Cole,  he  gave  public  testimony 
of  his  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  his  desire  for  the 
salvation  of  sinners.  When  his  health  was  confirmed,  he 
returned  to  Birmingham,  and  was  joyfully  received  by 
baptism  into  the  Cannon-street  church,  under  the  pastor- 
ship of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Pearce. 

About  this  time,  being  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  wrote 
a  book,  entitled  "Juvenile  Poems,"  which,  contrary  to  his 
own  wish,  at  the  request  of  his  father  and  many  friends, 
was  published.  His  talents  now  began  to  develope  rapidly, 
and  with  a  view  to  prepare  him  for  greater  usefulness,  by 
a  suitable  education,  he  was  sent  to  the  Institution  at 
Bristol,  where  he  prosecuted  the  studies  assigned  him  with 
ardor  and  success.  Pie  there  came  out  vigorously  in  the 
service  of  his  Lord,  supplying  many  of  (lie  neighboring 
churches  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  occasionally  preaching 
through  the  week.  His  labors  proved  highly  acceptable, 
and  commanded  large  assemblies,  even  at  this  early  period. 
He  received  several  invitations  from  churches  to  settle 
among  them,  particularly  from  the  church  at  Northampton. 
Dr.  Ryland  having  resigned  his  pastoral  office  for  the 
3* 


22  IM  E  iM  O  I  R      O  F 

presidency  of  the  Bristol  Institution,  Mr.  Staughton  was 
called  to  succeed  hftn.  All  these  invitations  he  declined, 
being  strongly  impressed  with  the  duty  of  extending  his 
labors  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

The  letter  of  invitation  from  the  church  at  Northampton 
shows  the  high  estimation  in  which  his  character  and  tal- 
ents were  held.  He  was  then  just  e/uering  his  twenty- 
third  year. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  The  term  for  which  wc  invited  you,  last  autumn,  to 
labor  among  us  in  word  and  doctrine,  beir.:^  nearly  elapsed, 
we  unite  in  soliciting  you  to  continue  your  labors  among 
U3  three  months  longer,  in  supplying  the  vacancy  we  are 
likely  soon  to  experience,  by  the  removal  of  our  beloved 
pastor  from  us.  And  wc  hope,  dear  Sir,  you  v/ill  comply 
with  our  request,  with  the  prospect  of  receiving  a  call  to 
take  the  pastoral  care  over  us,  as  a  church,  after  our  present 
pastor  is  removed  from  us  to  a  sphere  of  more  enlarged 
usefulness. 

"  We  take  this  opportunity  of  unitedly  expressing  our 
thankfulness  for  your  past  labors  among  us,  and  are  the 
more  solicitous  to  have  them  continued,  with  the  hope  of 
enjoying  them  in  a  more  fixed  and  stated  manner,  as  we 
know  of  no  person  so  proper  to  succeed  our  present  pastor; 
none  in  whom  we  can  so  unexceptionably  unite,  and  whose 
ministry  is  so  universally  acceptable  to  the  congregation, 
also,  with  whom  we  worship. 

"  You  are  no  stranger,  dear  Sir,  to  the  singular  and  dif- 
ficult situation  in  which  we  now  stand.  We  have  con- 
sented to  part  with  our  present  minister  and  pastor,  with 
whose  labors  and  conduct  we  were  perfectly  satisfied,  at 
the  earnest  solicitations  of  a  sister  church  connected  with 
the  seminary,  from  whence  we  sought  your  assistance,  with 


D  R.     S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  23 

the  prospect  and  hope  of  his  being  more  extensiyely  useful 
in  the  cause  of  our  Redeemer,  and  particuL.rly  in  tliat  de- 
partment of  the  Christian  church  in  which  we  mostly  rank. 
But  while  we  act  this  disinterested  part,  it  is  with  the  just 
proviso  and  reserve,  that  we  have  first  a  suitable  successor, 
at  least  in  prospect.  This  is  the  ground  of  our  first  and 
renewed  application  to  yourself:  and  as  we  cannot  find  a 
single  dissenting  voice,  either  in  the  church  or  congrega- 
tion, we  hope,  dear  Sir,  you  will  make  no  difficulty  to  com- 
ply with  our  request. 
March  -24,  1T93." 

We  return  to  the  Juvenile  Poems.  One  of  these  seems 
to  have  been  written  in  allusion  to  his  own  religious  exer- 
cises. It  is  founded  on  the  passage  of  Scripture  from 
which  he  received  encouragement  to  put  his  trust  in 
Christ. 

PARDO-NING  LOVE. 

isAi.\ii  I  :  18. 

Involved  in  guilt,  and  near  despair, 

Depressed  with  shame,  o'erwhclmed  with  tears ; 

To  God  I  raised  my  humble  prayer, 
He  scattered  all  my  groundless  fears. 

He  spake  : — (for  I,  abandoned  wretch. 

Lay  so  estranged  to  power  divine. 
Omnipotence  alone  could  reach  • 

This  heart,  or  these  deaf  ears  of  mine — ) 

"  Come,  sinner,  exercise  thy  thouglits ; 

Although  thy  crimes,  of  deepest  dye. 
Enormous  follies,  boundless  faults. 

May  with  the  worst  of  rebels  vie  : 

Grace  shall  abound  much  more  than  sin, 
Thou  shalt  my  pardoning  mercy  know. 


24  RI  E  M  O  I  R     OF 

Thy  scarlet  shall  bo  white  and  clean, 
Thy  crimson  guilt  as  wool  or  snow. 

For  thee,  on  Calvary,  I  died. 

And  bought  thee  pardon  with  my  blood ; 

Look  to  a  Saviour  crucified. 

And  live,  and  know  that  I  am  God. 

My  strength  shall  equalize  thy  day, 

My  love  shall  sweeten  every  toil : 
Follow  thy  Jesus — watch  and  pray. 

Live  to  my  praise — wait  heaven  awhile." 

Ah,  my  dear  Lord,  and  can  it  be  ! 

Hast  thou  the  wondrous  ransom  paid  .'' 
Can  love  like  this  e.^tend  to  me ,' 

O,  'tis  an  act  of  grace  indeed  ! 

Thou  bleeding  love  !  thou  dying  Lamb  ! 

Prostrate  beneath  thy  feet  I  fall  ; 
Receive,  receive  me  as  I  am  : 

I'm  less  than  nothing — thou  art  ALL. 

We  close  this  chapter  with  two  more  specimens  of  the 
"  Juvenile  Poems,"  exhibiting  a  poetic  taste  of  considera- 
ble merit : 

A    PASTORAL. 

SOXG   I  :  7,  8. 

"  Thou  object  of  my  lovo  ! 

Tell  a  poor  wanderer  where, 
Amid  the  verdant  pastures,  move 

Thy  fleecy  care  : 
Say,  do  they  pass  along. 

Or  lay  them  down  in  case. 
Where  gentle  zephyrs  play  among 

The  nodding  trees  .'' 

Tell  me,  my  Lord,  the  Lamb, 
Ah  !  tell  me  where  they  feed ! 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  11  T  O  N. 

Is  it  beside  the  curling  stream, 

Or  fertile  mead  ? 
For  why,  why  should  I  rove. 

My  thoughtless  footsteps  roam. 
As  one  who  seeks  another  love, 

Another  home  ? 

Ye  intervening  hills, 

Sink  down  !  remove,  ye  rocks  ! 
That  soon  my  laboring  chariot  wheels 

May  find  his  flocks  : 
Ye  nciffliboring  shepherds,  say. 

And  mitigate  my  pain, 
Docs  my  beloved  pass  this  way. 

Or  drive  his  train  ? 

Chirping  througii  all  tlie  grove, 

I  hear  the  songsters'  lays ; 
But  still  I  mourn  an  absent  love 

In  all  my  ways." 
Then  fall  the  fluent  tears. 

And  sorrow  sinks  her  head  ; 
When  on  a  sudden  he  appears. 

And  thus  he  said  : — 

"  My  dove,  my  fairest  one  ! 

My  sister,  and  my  spouse  ! 
Nor  can  thy  lover  leave  his  own. 

Or  break  his  vows. 
Thee,  my  eternal  choice, 

I  heard  thee  tell  thy  grief; 
Now  let  the  broken  heart  rejoice, 

I've  brought  relief. 

Beneath  yon  craggy  rock. 

On  the  ambrosial  green. 
Go,  by  the  footsteps  of  the  flock. 

And  bless  the  scene." 
He  healed  her  wounded  soul, 

He  kissed  away  her  tears  ; 
IneflTably  his  smiles  control 

Her  futile  fears. 


25 


26  BIEMOIROP 

LOVE  TO  JESUS. 
"  Unto  you  that  hclievc  He  is  jnecioxis.'" 

I  love  my  precious  Jesus'  name, 

How  sweet  and  charming  is  the  sound  ! 

I  can  but  love  thee,  thou  dear  Lamb, 
O,  what  a  Jesus  I  have  found  ! 

'Twas  Jesus  set  my  conscience  free 

From  guilt,  that  painful,  pond'rous  load  ! 

Now  he  reveals  himself  to  me, 
And  calls  a  worm  a  child  of  God. 

'Tis  he  sustains  me  day  by  day : 

He  hath  his  gracious  promise  passed, 

To  bear  me  o'er  life's  changing  sea, 
And  land  me  safe  in  heaven  at  last. 

And  can  I  too  much  love  his  name  ? 

Impossible  !  it  cannot  be  : 
Rather,  dear  Lord,  I  blush  with  shame, 

I  feel  so  little  love  to  thee. 


D  R.     ST  A  UG  }I  T  O  N.  27 


CHAPTER  II. 

Circumstances  which  led  to  his  settlement  in  this  country — the 
high  sense  which  his  brethren  in  England  entertained  of  his 
character — arrival  in  Charleston,  S.  C.  and  marriage — preaching 
in  Georgetown,  S.  C. — removal  to  New-York,  and  his  afflictions 
there — removal  to  Bordentown,  N.  J. — his  ordination — circular 
on  infidelity — removal  to  Burlington,  N.  J. — received  degree  of 
D.  D. — visit  to  the  West  in  1804 — death  of  his  eldest  child. 

The  circumstances  which  led  to  his  settlement  in  this 
country,  where  his  name  will  long  be  cherished  with  grate- 
ful remembrance,  exhibit  the  high  estimation  in  which  he 
was  held  by  his  ministering  brethren  in  England.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  (afterwards  Dr.)  Furman,  of  Charleston,  wrote 
for  a  young  man  of  promise  and  character,  to  supply  the 
church  in  Georgetown,  S.  C.  The  letter  was  read  at  a 
meeting  of  ministers,  and  all,  with  one  voice,  exclaimed, 
"Staughton  is  the  man." 

The  following  testimonials,  which  accompanied  him  to 
the  land  of  his  adoption,  indicate  the  high  moral  and  intel- 
lectual standing  of  our  deceased  friend  and  brother. 

Extracts  from  Letters. 
I. 
From  the  Rev.  Dr.   Rippon,  London,   to  the  Rev.   Mr. 
(afterwards  Dr.)  Furman,  of  South-Carolina. 

"London,  July  ISth,  1793. 
"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  Your  inquiry,  concerning  a  Baptist  minister  for  George- 
town, arrived  at  a  time  when  one  of  our  junior  ministers 
is  disposed  to  cross  the  Atlantic,  and  you  have,  in  my 
opinion,  described  him  in  every   respect,  except  his  name. 


28  MEMOIROP 

Our  excellent  brother,  Dr.  Ryland,  my  most  intimate 
friend,  from  whom  I  received  a  letter  weekly,  for  about  six 
years  together,  was  in  town,  about  nine  days  since,  and 
slept,  as  usual,  at  my  house.  He  has  written  you  concern- 
ing the  gentleman  to  whom  I  refer,  Mr.  William  Staugh- 
ton,  who,  probably,  will  hand  this  hasty  line  to  you. 

"  Give  me  leave  to  observe,  that  you  must  not  expect 
Mr.  S.  to  be  a  fair  sample  of  our  English  brethren  in  the 
ministry.  You  may  be  certain  that  he  is  above  par,  and 
I  have  no  doubt  that  he  will  answer  to  the  character  he 
has  hitherto  borne,  of  an  unblameable  man,  and  an  ac- 
ceptable, evangelical,  and  popular  minister  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  I  believe  Providence  has  designed  some 
great  and  good  things  for  him." 

II. 
From  the  Rev.   Mr.    (subsequently  Dr.)  Hinton,  of  Ox- 
ford, to  the  same. 

"  Oiford,  July  IQth,  1793. 
"  Rev.  Sir, 

"  Though  T  have  not  the  happiness  of  a  personal  ac- 
quaintance with  you,  I  have  learned  so  much  of  your 
character,  as  induces  me  to  address  you  with  freedom,  in 
behalf  of  the  Rev.  William  Staughton,  the  bearer  of  this, 
and  a  Baptist  minister,  of  evangelical  sentiments.  As  you 
may,  possibly,  wish  to  know  something  of  your  correspond- 
ent, as  well  as  your  visitor,  I  refer  you,  for  information  re- 
specting the  former,  to  the  Rev.  Edmund  Botsford,  with 
whom  I  have  corresponded  some  years,  and  in  which  cor- 
respondence, I  believe  I  have  to  thank  you,  Sir,  for  fre- 
quent assistance.  You  will  learn,  from  conversation  with 
Mr.  Staughton,  the  reasons  which  have  induced  him  to 
cross  the  Atlantic,  and  I  need  say  little,  except  that  he  is 
a  young  man  of  strict  integrity,  ardent  piety,  and  of  minis- 


DU.    STAUGIITON.  29 

terial  abilities,  highly  acceptable  in  England.  I  have  au- 
thority to  use  the  name  of  the  Rev.  T.  Dunsconibc,  Rev. 
Butterworth,  of  Broomsgrove,  and  Pendered,  of  Whitney  ; 
and,  if  Staughton  could  have  staid  a  few  days  for  this,  I 
could  have  added  a  long  list  of  ministers  and  churches,  to 
whom  Mr.  Staughton's  labors  have  been  highly  pleasing, 
even  to  the  last  Sabbath  of  his  stay  in  England,  to  whom, 
also,  his  design  in  coming  to  America  is  fully  known,  and 
his  character  fully  approved." 

In  the  year  1793,  Mr.  Inglesby,  of  Charleston,  S.  C. 
visited  England,  and,  on  the  eve  of  his  return  to  America, 
the  same  year,  he  called  on  Dr.  Rippon,  who  said  to  him, 
"  I  am  sorry  I  did  not  see  you  a  few  days  ago,  that  I  might 
have  introduced  to  you  a  young  man,  named  Staughton, 
who  has  embarked  for  your  city.  He  is  one  of  the  most 
excellent  and  talented  young  men  that  has  ever  left  our 
Bristol  academy.  We  endeavored  to  detain  him  here,  but 
without  success." 

His  mind  had  been  directed  to  this  country,  as  his  fu- 
ture home,  before  the  letter  of  Mr.  Furman  reached  Eng- 
land. Through  life  he  maintained  a  regular  and  friendly 
correspondence  with  the  most  distinguished  Baptist  minis- 
ters of  his  native  land.  Among  these  were  the  Rev.  Drs. 
Ryland  and  Rippon,  the  Rev.  James  Butterworth,  the  Rev. 
Benjamin  Francis,  of  Horsley,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hughes,  of 
Battersea,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Pearce,  of  Birmingham,  and 
the  Rev.  J.  Hinton,  of  Oxford.  The  following  extracts 
from  letters  may  be  considered  a  specimen  of  the  interest 
he  enjoyed  in  their  affection  and  confidence  : 

From  the  Rev.  James  Butterworth,  dated 

"  Coventry,  April  ^dth,  1794. 
"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Staughton, 

"  Dear  Friends. — Your   friendly  epistle  came  to  hand 


30  M  E  M  O  I  U      O  F 

and  it  gave  me  no  small  pleasure  to  bear  that  you  all  got 
safe  to  America,  that  you  are  all  in  good  health,  and  have 
so  fine  a  prospect.  May  the  God  of  all  comfort  be  with 
you,  and  bless  you,  in  the  most  full  and  complete  sense  of 
the  word.         *  *  *  *  #  * 

"  Brother  and  sister  (Rev.  John  Butterworth  and  wife) 
with  friends  here,  join  me  in  love  to  you  both,  wishing  you 
every  blessing.     My  love  to  Maria." 

From  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Francis,  of  Horsley,  author  of 
the  Conflagration,  many  hymns,  &c. 

"  Ha !  is  Lazarus  alive  again  1  O  yes  !  for  I  have  re- 
ceived a  very  affectionate  and  affecting  letter  from  him, 
dated  May  16,  179G,  which  was  some  months  after  it  was 
reported  here  that  he  had  slept  with  his  fathers.  I  also 
heard  that  your  coffin  was  made,  although  you  were  not 
laid  in  it.  Blessed  be  the  living  God,  that  be  hath  snatch- 
ed you  from  the  arms  of  death,  restored  you  to  health  and 
usefulness,  and  fixed  you  in  so  agreeable  and  important  a 
situation. 

"  I  cannot  fully  express  the  pleasing  sensations  which 
your  charming  letter  excited  in  my  breast ;  sensations  of 
surprise,  of  friendship,  of  thankfulness,  and  joy.  I  did 
not  think  that  you  thought  of  me,  at  least  with  so  much 
love  and  respect,  so  that  your  letter  gave  me  the  greater 
surprise.  I  rejoice  in  your  welfare.  How  bath  the  Lord 
led  you,  preserved  you,  supported  you,  and  placed  you  in 
a  situation  where  you  may  be  very  happy,  greatly  respect- 
ed, and  rendered  very  useful  to  vast  numbers,  both  as  a 
tutor  and  a  minister.  May  your  life  be  long,  your  health 
constant,  your  heart  on  fire  of  love  to  Christ  and  immortal 
souls,  and  your  various  labors  crowned  with  abundant  suc- 
cess. We  preach  the  same  Saviour  for  whom  the  apostles 
labored,  and  martyrs  bled.     O  for  the  same   self-denying 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  X.  31 

spirit,  the  same  disinterested  views,  aiul  the  same  ardent 
zeal,  which  they  possessed  !  O  that  we  could  think, 
speak,  and  act;  read,  study,  pray,  and  preach,  with  God 
and  eternity  full  in  view. 

"  Mrs.  Francis  and  botli  my  daughters  join   in  kind  re- 
gards to  self,  and  Mrs.   Staughton,  though  unknown,  with, 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

B.  FRANCIS." 
May  13,  1797." 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hughes,  of  Battersea  (originator  of 
the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,)  the  classic  tutor 
under  whom  Mr.  Staugliton  pursued  his  studies. 

''Battersea,  March  31,  1801. 
"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  Your  kind  letter,  dated  April  ^Ist,  1800,  reached  me 
about  a  month  ago.  As  it  is  only  the  second  I  have  re- 
ceived since  your  residence  in  America,  I  am  not  sunk 
very  deep  in  epistolary  debt ;  but  I  am  not  one  of  those 
correspondents  who  mark  their  exact  turn.  Were  the  con- 
veyance more  certain  and  expeditious,  I  should  esteem  it  a 
pleasure  to  write  often  ;  and,  even  as  it  is,  I  recommend  to 
you,  what  I  propose  aiming  at  myself,  that  is,  immediate 
improvement.  Were  we  situated  within  a  few  miles  of 
each  other,  personal  intercourse  would,  probably,  form  a 
material  addition  to  our  catalogue  of  agreeables.  Let  us, 
at  least,  provide,  in  our  actual  situations,  what  will  best  an- 
swer as  a  substitute.  Never  let  another  year  pass  away, 
in  which  Staughton  shall  say  of  Hughes,  or  Hughes  of 
Staughton,  "  This  year  he  has  written  nothing  for  me." 

"  The  engagements  which  occupy  you,  are  of  a  j)leasing 
and  important  nature.     You  are  intrusted  with  the  human 


32  MEMOIROF 

mind,  in  all  its  stages  :  in  infancy,  as  a  parent ;  in  youth, 
as  a  preceptor ;  in  manhood,  as  an  evangelist.  Maria  di- 
vides with  you  your  anxieties  and  your  joys. 

"  Mrs.  Hughes  joins  in  remembrance  to  self  and  Mrs. 
Staughton. 

"  I  dismiss  these  sheets  with  all  the  sentiments  which  I 
ever  felt  towards  you,  and  subscribe  myself, 
"  Your  truly  affectionate 

"  Friend  and  brother, 

J.  HUGHES." 

But  we  return  to  the  order  of  the  narrative.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  memoir  arrived  in  Charleston,  S.  C.  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1793,  and  was  there,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Furman, 
united  in  marriage  to  Maria  Hanson,  by  whom  he  had  four 
children,  two  sons,  and  two  daughters,  the  eldest  of  which, 
named  after  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hinton,  of  England,  died  at  the 
age  of  about  twenty-one  months.  The  others  are  still  liv- 
ing. His  eldest  daughter,  Leonora  Maria,  was  married,  in 
the  year  1823,  to  the  writer  of  this  Memoir.  The  young- 
est daughter,  Elizabeth-Ann,  about  a  year  subsequently, 
became  the  wife  of  Dr.  John  T.  Temple,  of  Virginia ;  and 
his  son,  James  M.  Staughton,  M.  D.  formerly  Professor  of 
Surgery  in  the  medical  department  of  the  Columbian  col- 
lege, D.  C.  is  now  residing  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  and 
holding  the  Professorship  of  Surgery  in  the  Medical  col- 
lege of  Ohio,  a  flourishing  institution.* 

"  The  passage  of  Mr.  Staughton  to  Charleston  was  ex- 
ceedingly tedious.  Mr.  Inglesby,  whose  name  has  before 
been  introduced,  left  England  a  fortnight  later,  and  arrived 
before  him.  This  delay,  though  apparently  unfavorable, 
proved  to  be  quite  providential.     This  gentleman  mention- 

*  Since  deceased. 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  33 

ed  to  liis  friends  in  Charleston,  that  Mr.  Staughton  had 
started  two  weeks  before  him,  and  that  he  felt  great  anxiety 
concerning  him.  This  circumstance  created  an  innnediate 
interest  in  his  favor.  The  anxiety  was  transferred  to  oth- 
ers, and  when  he  arrived,  he  found  himself  at  once  in  the 
midst  of  friends. 

Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  South-Carolina,  he  received 
an  invitation  to  ."supply  the  Baptist  brethren  in  Georgetown. 
He  removed  thither,  and  continued  preaching  among  them 
about  seventeen  months.  We  introduce  here  a  letter  writ- 
ten to  his  friend  Mr.  Inglcsby,  immediately  after  his  arrival 
at  Georgetown. 

"  Georgetown,  Jan.  2(jt/i,  1794. 

"With  many  an  anxious,  distressing,  portentous  thought, 
while  the  increasing  rains  were  descending,  and  the  shades 
of  night  advancing,  we  left  the  society  of  affectionate 
friends,  to  embrace  the  extended  waters,  in  the  miserable 
vehicle,  a  wet  canoe,  and  with  the  additional  occasion  of 
sorrovv',  a  wounded,  weeping  partner. 

"  We  retain  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  kindness  of 
those  friends,  among  whom  we  feel  happy   in   naming  Mr. 

I ,  who,  like  the  amiable  Hindoos  on  the  banks  of  the 

Ganges,  were  solicitous  to  manifest  their  steady  regards, 
until  increasing  distance  concealed  us  from  view. 

"  I  am  sensible  you  will  feel  happy  in  receiving  tiie  in- 
formation, that,  on  our  arrival  on  the  other  side  of  the  ferry, 
after  we  had  a  good  fire  made,  and  partook  of  a  welcome 
cup  of  coffee,  the  distress  subsided,  and  the  countenances 
so  lately  covered  with  gloom,  assumed  their  native  cheer- 
fulness. 

"  The  hurt  my  dear  Maria  received   was  considerable. 
Heaven   be  praised,    a  limb  was    not   broken.     Through 
mercy,   it  is  now  nearly   well.     The  inclemency   of  the 
4* 


34  MEMOIR     OP 

weather  prevented  our  pursuing  the  journey  till  Friday 
afternoon,  when  we  rode  about  sixteen  miles,  and  arrived 
at  Georgetown  late  on  Saturday  evening.  Our  reception 
was  equal  to  our  expectations,  and  the  conduct  of  the 
friends,  since  our  arrival,  evinces  fully  their  solicitude  to 
contribute  to  our  happiness. 

"  The  greater  part  of  last  week,  I  have  devoted  to  the 
interesting  work  of  writing  to  those  dear  relations,  and 
acquaintances,  who  still  inhabit  our  native  country.  We 
seem  to  realize  more  fully  the  blessings  resulting  from  a 
discovery  of  the  science  of  writing,  than  when  a  few  miles 
only  intervened  between  us  and  those,  who  merit  the  high 
appellations  of  pious  and  affectionate  parents,  faithful  and 
amiable  friends. 

"  While  I  feel  happy  in  the  blessings  that  rise  from  the 
friendly  circle,  I  trust  it  is  ours  to  derive  our  highest  de- 
light from  a  nobler  source.  May  we  largely  enjoy  com- 
munion with  the  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
From  heaven,  every  stream  of  earthly  consolation  descends. 
We  often  gaze  delighted  on  the  currents  of  creature  de- 
lights, pleased  with  beholding  our  image  there,  but  these, 
alas !  like  the  stream  of  brooks,  "  pass  away."  Perhaps 
no  streams  arc  more  suddenly  or  unexpectedly  dried  up,  or 
subject  to  greater  and  more  frequent  variations  in  their 
course.  Christ  Jesus  only  can  furnish  us  with  living 
waters.  Enjoyments  flow  by  the  path  of  duty.  The 
waters  in  the  desert  pursued  the  course  of  the  cloudy  pillar. 

"  Really,  my  dear  friend,  I  have,  somehow  or  other,  or 
ever  I  was  aware,  entered  so  far  on  a  watery  theme,  that  I 
can  scarcely  forbear  pointing  to  those  waters,  respecting 
which  Jesus  has  said,  "  Thus  it  hecometh  ns."  But  I  for- 
bear, knowing  you  admire  that  amiable  disposition  which 
induced  David  to  say,  "  I  made  haste,  and  delayed  not  to 
keep  thy  commandments." 


DR.     ST  A  U  C>  II  T  ON.  35 

"  Through  the  good  hand  of  the  Lord  upon  us,  I  and  my 
dear  family  are  well.  I  had,  a  day  or  two  past,  a  slight 
cold,  but  it  is  now  removed. 

"  Mrs.  Staughton  unites  with  me  in  compliments  to  tlie 
whole  of  your  good  family,  and  begs  Mrs.  I.'s  acceptance 
of  a  copy  of  Watts. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Yours,  sincerely  and  affectionately, 

W.  STAUGHTOxN." 

During  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Georgetown,  a 
church  was  constituted  there,  over  which  he  accepted  the 
pastoral  charge.  The  climate,  however,  did  not  agree 
with  his  constitution,  and  to  the  habits  of  holding  Afri- 
cans in  a  state  of  slavery,  the  sentiments  of  his  heart  were 
not  reconciled.  He  concluded  to  remove  to  the  Northern 
States,  where  he  believed  his  own  comfort,  and  that  of  his 
family  would  be  greatly  promoted.  'J^o  say  that  he  was 
popidar  in  Georgetown,  is  true,  but  he  was  more  than  i)op- 
tilar.  All  classes  and  professions  in  the  community  con- 
tributed to  his  support,  and  among  these  were  some  Jews. 
When  he  signified  his  intention  to  remove,  the  deacon  of 
the  church  came  to  him,  and  said,  "  Mr.  Staughton,  why 
do  you  wish  to  leave  us  ?  Is  your  salary  insufficient  ?  We 
will  double  it,  only  stay  with  us."  Their  liberal  contribu- 
tions for  his  comfort,  received  from  the  church  and  the  in- 
habitants, were  recollected  through  life,  by  him,  with  the 
most  sincere  and  lively  gratitude.  The  last  sermon  he 
preached  in  this  place,  was  founded  on  the  passage,  "  Be 
thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of 
life." 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Botsford  was  soon  after  called  to  the 
pastorship  of  the  church.  From  him,  and  also  from  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Furman,  he  received  the  most  honorable  testi- 
monials. 


36  M  E  M  0  I  R     O  F 

Letter  written  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Botsford : 

"  If  the  bearer,  my  much  esteemed  friend,  the  Rev. 
William  Staughton,  should  providentially  meet  with  any 
of  the  brethren  in  the  ministry,  or  others  to  whom  I  am 
known,  I  wish  to  inform  them  that  I  received  from  my  very 
respectable  friend,  Rev.  James  Hinton,  of  Oxford,  Old  Eng- 
land, a  very  honorable  recommendation  of  him,  as  a  pious 
christian,  and  a  gentleman  of  abilities  in  the  ministry.  I 
am  happy  to  declare,  and  which  I  think  my  duty,  from  a 
personal  acquaintance  with  him,  that  I  think  him  highly 
deserving  the  excellent  character  given  him.  I  doubt  not 
those  who  may  be  favored  with  his  acquaintance,  will  think 
themselves  thereby  obliged. 

"  Any  favor  shown  to  my  friend  will  be  esteemed  as 
done  to  myself 

"  By  their  most  obedient,  humble  servant,  in  the  gospel, 

EDMUND  BOTSFORD. 

>S'.  C.  Bethel,  Pcdec,  April  27,  1795." 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Furman,  of  Charleston,  S.  C. 

"  These  are  to  certify,  that  the  bearer  hereof.  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Staughton,  is  a  licensed  gospel  minister  of  the  Baptist 
church,  sent  out  to  the  important  work  of  the  ministry  by 
the  Baptist  church  in  Birmingham,  in  Great  Britain.  He 
was  a  student  of  the  Bristol  academy,  where  he  studied 
languages,  philosophy,  and  the  belles  lettrcs,  and  came  to 
America  with  ample  recommendations  from  persons  of  the 
first  respectability  in  the  Baptist  connection.  Dr.  Rippon, 
of  London,  Mr.  Pearce,  of  Birmingham,  Mr.  Hinton,  of 
Oxford,  and  Mr.  Dunscombe,  of  Coate,  have  particularly 
interested  themselves  in  his  behalf,  in  letters  to  the  sub- 
scriber ;  in  which  they  recommend  him  as  tlieir  much 
esteemed  and  amiable  friend.     During  more  than  eighteen 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  X.  0< 

months'  stay  in  South  Carolina,  principally  at  Georgetown, 
Mr.  Stauiihton's  conduct  has  justified  the  recommendations 
given  him  by  his  European  friends,  and  procured  him  the 
love  and  respect  of  his  acquaintances  in  general,  who  esteem 
him  as  a  man  of  piety,  and  a  gospel  minister  of  eminent 
abilities. 

"  Mrs.  Staughton  is  also  of  the  Baptist  church.  She  has 
employed  a  considerable  part  of  her  time  in  keeping  a 
boarding  scliool  for  young  ladies,  for  which  she  is  consid- 
ered as  eminently  qualified,  and  has  taught  with  reputation 
in  this  country  as  well  as  in  Europe. 

"  They  are  now  about  removing  from  Carolina  to  the 
Northern  States,  in  expectation  that  tlie  climate  and  mode 
of  living  there  will  be  more  agreeable  to  them  than  in  the 
Southern. 

"  The  subscriber,  therefore,  takes  the  liberty  to  recom- 
mend them  to  the  attention  of  his  friends  and  correspond- 
ents, where  providence  may  cast  their  lot,  as  persons  wor- 
thy of  the  foregoing  character,  and  for  whose  welfare  he 
feels  particularly  concerned. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  in  Charleston,  this  19th  day  of 
June,  1795. 

RICHARD  FURMAN." 

At  the  close  of  June,  179o,  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  New  York.  The  following  letter  describes  their  arrival 
and  reception : 

"July  10th,  1795,  New-York. 

"  My  dear  friend, 

"  After  our  painful  adieu  on  the  wharves  of  Charleston, 
the  God  of  the  seas  indulged  us  with  pleasant  winds,  and 
in  seven  days  presented  to  our  view  the  shores  of  New- 
York.     Some  inconvenience  was  sustained  on  the  passage 


38  MEMOIROP 

from  the  great  number  of  the  passengers,  but  in  general 
their  behavior  was  agreeable,  especially  on  the  Sabbath 
day,  when  we  had  divine  service  on  the  deck.  We  saw 
several  sail  in  the  course  of  the  voyage,  but  were  so  suc- 
cessful as  not  to  meet  with  any  of  the  privateers. 

"  We  came  up  to  the  wharf  in  this  city,  about  five  o'clock 
in  the  evening.  I  visited  Dr.  Foster,  presented  my  testi- 
monials, and  was  invited  to  come,  together  with  my  dear 

M and  Amelia,  to  sleep  the  same  evening  at  his  house. 

We  did  so,  and  the  two  following  evenings  ;  when  having 
obtained  a  small  pleasant  situation  at  the  north-east  end  of 
the  town,  we  removed,  and  have  continued  here  ever  since, 
waiting  till  providence  opens  some  more  eligible  and  lasting 
residence. 

"  Not  only  did  we  enjoy  health  on  our  passage,  but  a 
merciful  measure  is  still  continued  to  us.  The  climate  is 
pleasant,  and  the  city  very  strongly  resembles  an  English 
seaport.  Many  of  our  friends  have  come  hither,  whose 
presence  we  little  expected  again  to  have  seen  ;  among 
these  are  some  members  of  the  same  society  in  Birming- 
ham. Besides  the  church  over  which  Dr.  Foster  presides, 
and  another  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Stanford,  there 
is  a  small  society  rising  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Dunn, 
who  has  left  Newport,  and  is  come,  at  the  request  of  sev- 
eral friends,  to  settle  in  New- York. 

"  Whether  we  shall  continue  in  this  city,  remove  to 
Hartford,  in  Connecticut,  or  take  some  other  direction,  we 
cannot  say.  Letters  are  forwarded  to  H.  and  perhaps  by 
the  time  this  arrives  in  Charleston,  we  shall  have  come  to 
some  decision.  You  shall  hear  as  soon  as  providence  shall 
have  made  darkness  light  before  us. 

"  I  wish  I  knew  how  to  express  the  sense  my  dear  Maria 
and  myself  feel  of  tlie  kindness  and  generosity  we  realized 
in  Mr.  and  Mrs.  I ,  during  our  residence  with  you. 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  39 

You  seem  resolved  to  lay  us  under  a  debt  of  obligation,  we 
are  unable  to  discharge.  While  \\c  return  our  sincere 
thanks,  we  cannot  forget  that  promise  which  ensures  a 
recompense  in  the  day  of  the  just.  May  the  bounties  of 
providence,  the  treasures  of  grace,  and  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  be  yours. 

"Our  affectionate  remembrances  await  you  both,  and 
each  of  the  )oung  ladies.  We  will  continue  to  pray,  amid 
the  changes  of  time,  that  the  God  of  Jacob  may  be  your 
everlasting  supporter.  We  hope  next  year  to  see  you  again, 
and  wait  on  you  at  our  own  habitation.  Meantime,  do  let 
us  hear  from  you  often. 

"  Yours  affectionately  and  sincerely, 

W.  STAUGIITON." 

He  had  not  been  many  weeks  in  New- York,  when  the 
yellow  fever  made  its  appearance.  He  was  subjected  to  a 
severe  attack,  from  which  it  was  supposed  he  would  not 
recover.  Information  was  received  by  his  friends  in  Eng- 
land, that  he  was  dead.  His  family,  in  deep  distress  at  the 
afllictive  tidings,  were  preparing  to  go  into  mourning,  when 
they  received  a  letter  from  himself  announcing  his  recovery. 
His  father,  in  the  joy  of  his  heart,  called  his  family  together, 
and  they  all  kneeled  down  and  returned  thanks  to  the  Lord 
for  his  preserving  mercies.  During  the  remainder  of  the 
autujnn,  and  part  of  the  winter,  he  experienced  a  series  of 
most  severe  bodily  afflictions,  which  are  described  in  the 
letter  that  follows : 

"Brookli/n,  Dec.  23,  1795. 

"  My  dear  friend, 

"  Since  the  severe  visitation  I  suffered  in  New- York,  I 
have  had  an  affliction,  I  had  almost  said,  infinitely  more 
painful.  Having  taken  a  cold  as  I  was  recovering  from 
my   fever,  a   dreadful  rheumatic   and  spasmodic   affection 


40  MEMOIROP 

followed,  in  my  loins,  which  reduced  me  almost  to  the 
grave.  By  means  of  excessive  bleeding,  and  the  introduc- 
ing of  a  seton  into  the  afflicted  part,  I  am  now,  in  a  great 
measure,  restored.     I  can  walk  about  the  house,  and  hope 

shortly  to  be  able  to  venture  into  the  open  air.     Mrs.  S 

has  had  a  very  trying  time.  With  incessant  watching  and 
toil,  her  strength  failed  her,  so  that  a  fit  of  sickness  was 
apprehended,  but  the  Lord  restored  her,  lest  I  should  have 
sorrow  upon  sorrow.  Assist,  my  dear  friend,  to  praise  the 
Lord  for  his  restoring  mercy,  and  aid  me  in  your  prayers 
that  dispensations  so  severe,  may  not  fail  of  producing  an 
end  as  important  as  the  trial  has  been  acute. 

"  Excuse  brevity.     With  sincere   wishes  for  your  tem- 
poral and  eternal  prosperity,  I  continue,  my  dear  friend, 
"Your  unworthy  brother  in  Christ, 

W.  STAUGHTON." 

In  the  course  of  the  winter,  he  received  an  invitation 
from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Allison,  to  succeed  him  in  the  charge 
of  his  academy  in  Bordentown,  N.  J.  The  prospect  of 
great  usefulness  offering  in  this  new  situation,  he  removed 
thither  the  ensuing  spring.  His  views  and  feelings  respect- 
ing this  opening  in  providence,  are  expressed  in  the  letter 
subjoined : 

''Neic-Yorh,  3Iarch  23,  1796. 
*'  My  dear  friend, 

"  I  have  just  returned  from  the  country,  and  am  now  at 
Messrs.  Goodeve  and  Brown's  on  my  way  home.  On  my 
arrival  last  night,  I  was  presented  with  your  welcome  favor 

of  the  29th  ult.     My  dear  M and  myself,  unitedly  rejoice 

in  the  peace  and  happiness  which,  you  intimate,  dwells 
with  you.     May  it  increase  and  abound. 

"  Your  generous  and  sympathetic  sorrow  at  the  appre- 
hension that  my  circumstances  were  "rather  gloomy,"  re- 


D  U.      S  T  A  U  G  n  TO  N.  41 

ceivcs  iny  most  sincere  thanks.  Gloom,  darkening  gloom, 
has  indeed  long  been  spreading  around  us.  It  has  been  a 
night  of  aliliction  and  weeping,  but,  blessed  be  God,  weep- 
ing endures  only  a  night.  Joy  cometh  in  the  morning.  I 
hope  the  night  is  past.  My  dear  friend  will  receive  an 
increase  of  pleasure  on  hearing  that  I  am  entering  on  a 
station  equally  profitable,  respectable,  and  pleasant. 

"  At  Bordentown,  a  remarkably  healthful  spot,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Delaware,  about  thirty  miles  from  Philadel- 
phia, and  about  fifty-five  miles  from  New- York,  a  great 
seminary  has  been  established,  these  eighteen  years.  Rev. 
B.  Allison,  A.  M.,  has  had  the  honor  of  founding  and 
conducting  it  to  its  present  maturity.  This  gentleman, 
whom  I  have  found  alike  amiable,  generous,  and  intelligent, 
having  rendered  himself  independent,  and  wishing  to  trans- 
fer the  presidency  of  the  academy  to  a  person  willing  and 
qualified  to  conduct  it  on  his  extensive  plan,  suggested  his 
intention  to  Dr.  Rogers,  of  Philadelphia.  jThe  Doctor  re- 
ferred him  to  me — a  correspondence  has  been  opened  be- 
tween us,  and  I  have  been  at  Bordentown  to  view  the 
situation,  &/C. 

"  On  terms  remarkably  easy,  I  have  taken  the  buildings 
wliicli  he  had  erected  for  the  purpose,  and  which  arc  very 
elegant  and  commodious.  I  expect  to  remove  thither  at 
the  close  of  next  month. 

"  The  information  my  friend  has  received  respecting 
my  late  circumstances  is  a  little  erroneous.  Long,  bodily, 
personal  affliction,  threw  the  gloom  around  me,  but  I  have 
always  found  abundant  room  for  exercising  in  the  miiiistri/. 
By  the  second  church,  where  there  is  a  new  place  of  wor- 
ship, in  a  good  part  of  the  town,  and  an  increasing  congre- 
gation, I  have  been  invited  to  stay  for  twelve  months  on 
probation.  Some  circumstances  rendered  my  refusal  very 
difiicult:  but  as  there  are  two  sood  conscreofations  near  Bor- 


42  MEMOIROF 

dentown,  at  which  Mr.  Allison  and  I  shall  preach  alter- 
nately, and  as  the  emoluments  of  the  latter  place  are  so 
much  better  suited  to  the  state  of  myself  and  my  dear  fam- 
ily, I  thought  it  duty  to  prefer  the  latter. 

"Sincerely  praying  for  your  permanent  happiness  v/hile 
passing,  what  Bunyan  terms  "  the  wilderness  of  this  world," 
and  for  your  admission,  into  what  the  same  author  calls, 
"  the  celestial  city,"  I  continue,  my  dear  friend, 

"  Your  unworthy  brother  in  a  precious  Jesus, 

W.  STAUGHTON." 

But  the  establishment  in  Bordentown  did  not  justify  his 
expectations,  and  from  a  variety  of  causes  which  he  could 
not  have  foreseen,  he  became  considerably  embarrassed  in 
relation  to  the  support  of  his  family.  Yet  his  confidence 
in  God  was  unwavering, — which  he  strongly  expressed 
in  consolatory  lines,  written  in  a  familiar  epistle  to  his 
companion  in  life ;  and  while  they  evinced  his  entire  re- 
liance upon  a  divine  arm,  they  discovered  the  readiness 
with  which  he  could  communicate  his  thoughts  in  po- 
etic measure.  He  was  at  this  time  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, whither  he  had  gone  to  collect  funds  arising 
out  of  his  labors,  and  had  met  with  considerable  disap- 
pointment. 

At  Jacobstown,  in  New-Jersey,  a  considerable  Baptist 
church  was  in  existence,  some  of  the  members  of  which 
resided  in  Bordentown,  and  were  considered  a  branch  of 
the  Jacobstown  church.  They  had  an  edifice,  which  was 
repaired  while  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was  living  there, 
principally  through  his  own  exertions,  and  in  a  considera- 
ble measure  at  his  own .  expense.  Here  he  frequently 
preached,  as  well  as  to  the  church  at  Jacobstown,  in  which 
he  held  his  membership.  At  the  special  request  of  this 
church,  he  was  ordained  at  Bordentown,  according  to  the 


D  R.    S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  43 

custom  of  the  Baptist  churches  in  this  country.  This  oc- 
curred on  the  17th  day  of  June,  1797.  Tlie  services  of 
the  day  commenced  with  singing ;  after  which  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Rogers,  of  Philadelphia,  prayed ;  another  hymn  fol- 
lowed, and  Dr.  Rogers  delivered  a  discourt^e  from  the 
words,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature."  At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  another 
hymn  was  sung,  and  the  ordination  proceeded.  The  Rev. 
Peter  Wilson,  of  Hightstown,  N.  J.,  offered  the  ordination 
prayer.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Jones,  of  Lower  Dublin,  Pennsyl- 
vania, proposed  to  Mr.  Staughton  those  questions  relative 
to  his  faith  and  experience,  and  produced  those  testimonials 
of  the  uprightness  of  his  moral  character,  which,  on  such 
occasions,  are  expected.  The  candidate  was  then  sot  apart 
to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  by  imposition  of  hands 
and  prayer.  The  right  hand  of  fellowship  was  then  given, 
and  the  charge  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Allison. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  some  of  the  readersof  this  work, 
to  see  the  form  of  an  ordination  certificate,  as  drawn  up  by 
the  Baptists  of  that  day. 

Ordination  Certifcate. 

"  To  all  whom  it  may  concern  : 

"  These  are  to  certify,  that  the  subscribers,  being  con- 
vened at  Bordentown,  State  of  New-Jersey,  on  the  17th  day 
of  June,  1797,  for  the  purpose  of  setting  apart,  by  solemn 
ordination,  the  bearer  hereof,  William  Staughton,  to  the 
sacred  office  of  the  ministry ;  and  being,  by  sufficient  tes- 
timony, fully  certified  of  his  moral  character,  real  piety, 
and  sound  knowledge  in  divine  things,  as  well  as  ministe- 
rial gifts  and  abilities,  whereof  we  have  had  also,  otherwise, 
sufficient  knowledge,  did,  therefore,  on  the  said  17th  day 
of  June,  in  the  presence  of  the  Baptist  church  of  said 


44  M  E  ]\I  O  I  R     O  F 

place,  and  a  full  assembly  met,  solemnly  ordain  and  set 
apart  to  the  sacred  office  of  the  ministry,  by  imposition  of 
hands,  prayer,  and  other  rituals  amongst  us,  in  that  case 
in  use,  the  said  bearer  hereof,  our  worthy  and  reverend 
brother,  William  Staughton,  whom  we  therefore  recom- 
mend, as  such,  to  favor,  respect,  and  acceptance,  for  his 
own  and  the  work's  sake. 

(Signed)         Samuel  Jones,  of  Lower  Dublin, 

William  Rodgers,  of  Philadelphia, 
BuRGiss  Allison,  of  Bordentown, 
Peter  Wilson,  of  Hightstown, 
Morgan  J.  Rhees,  of  Philadelphia." 

He,  who  was  ordained,  and  they,  who  officiated  in  this 
solemn  service,  are  now  sleeping  in  the  grave.  Other 
voices  are  heard,  where  once  they  proclaimed  the  Gospel ; 
other  feet  pass  the  threshhold,  where  they  loved  to  exhibit 
the  doctrine  of  the  cross.     But  we  trust, 

"They  sleep  in  Jesus,  and  are  blessed." 

During  his  residence  in  Bordentown,  he  mingled  in  the 
deliberations  of  the  Philadelphia  Association,  which,  at 
that  time,  embraced  within  its  bounds  the  Baptist  churches 
in  the  State  of  New-Jersey.  This  place  was,  also,  for  a 
time,  the  residence  of  the  celebrated  Thomas  Paine.  Per- 
mit me,  in  passing,  to  introduce  a  short  conversation.  Mr. 
Staughton  was  one  day  sitting  at  his  door,  when  Thomas 
Paine  stopped,  and,  after  making  some  remarks  of  a  gen- 
eral character,  he  observed,  "  Mr.  Staughton,  what  a  pity 
it  is  that  man  has  not  some  comprehensive  and  perfect 
rule  for  the  government  of  his  life."  He  replied,  "  Mr. 
Paine,  there  is  such  a  rule."  "What  is  that?"  he  said. 
Mr.  Staughton  repeated  the  passage,  "  Thou  shalt  love  the 
Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  45 

self."     "Oh,"  said  Paine,  "that's  in  your  bible,"   and  im- 
mediately walked  away. 

At  the  Association  of  1796,  the  person  appointed  to 
write  the  Circular  Letter  having  failed  in  this  duty,  Mr. 
Staughton  was  requested  to  prepare  one,  to  accompany  the 
Minutes.  He  immediately  proceeded  to  write  a  Circular 
on  the  subject  of  infidelity,  which  was  unanimously  adopted. 
His  mind  was  probably  impressed  with  this  subject,  from 
the  circumstance  that  his  residence  was  the  scene  of 
Paine's  labors.  As  this  is  a  subject  producing  an  unhappy 
influence  at  the  present  day,  the  letter  is  here  reprinted. 
It  will  manifest  the  readiness  with  which  he  could  pre- 
pare a  document  for  public  observation,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  serve  as  an  antidote  to  the  infidel  poison  of  the  age 
in  which  we  live.  It  may  prove  of  special  utility  to  the 
Christian  reader,  by  placing  before  him  the  only  ground 
on  which  Christianity,  as  far  as  his  instrumentality  is  con- 
cerned, can  be  rendered  triumphant. 

"  Christian  Brethren, 

"According  to  the  good  hand  of  our  God  upon  us,  we 
are  again  met  in  Association.  With  gratitude  to  him  who 
is  head  over  all  things  to  the  church,  we  mention,  that  the 
various  letters  we  have  received  from  the  churches,  testify, 
that  among  them  love  and  peace  prevail,  and  that,  in  like 
manner,  harmony  has  crowned  our  recent  deliberations. 

"  Accustomed  annually  to  address  you,  and  to  derive  the 
theme  of  our  letter  from  the  succession  of  subjects  in  our 
Confession  of  Faith,  we  expected  this  year  to  have  set  be- 
fore you  the  principles  and  pleasures  of  Christian  liberty, 
and  liberty  of  conscience.  Though  in  this  expectation 
disappointed,  we  are  still  desirous  of  pressing  on  your  minds 
such  reflections  as  shall  be  friendly  to  your  advance  in 
knowledge  and  virtue. 


46  MEMOIROF 

"  Not  more  from  the  present  state  of  religion,  than  from 
the  pious  hints  suggested  in  your  letters,  our  thoughts  are 
turned  to  the  prevalence  of  infidelity.  With  that  regret 
and  anxiety  which  every  good  man  must  feel,  when  the 
godly  man  ceaseth,  and  when  the  wicked  prevail,  we  ob- 
serve crowds  of  unreflecting  youths,  pressing  on  to  ruin, 
fascinated  with  systems,  which,  though  congenial  with  de- 
pravity, are  at  an  infinite  remove  from  holiness  and  truth. 
Our  eyes,  our  ears,  affect  our  hearts,  while  we  perceive  the 
sophistry  admired  which  is  pointed  against  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  and  the  course  of  thought  and  conversation,  which 
tends  to  the  advancement  of  guilt  and  confusion,  applauded 
as  fashionable  and  just. 

"  To  trace  this  evil  to  its  proper  source,  we  must  recur 
to  the  original  depravity  of  man  ;  but  we  perceive  a  less 
distant  cause  in  the  revolution  of  empire.  Our  God  sitteth 
upon  the  circle  of  the  earth,  and  guides  its  affairs  as  his 
infinite  perfections  direct,  yet  its  vicissitudes  are  usually  so 
connected,  that  one  event  appears  naturally  to  arise  out  of 
another.  Europe  has  for  ages  been  deluged  in  supersti- 
tion, and  even  where  the  Reformation  had  destroyed  its 
servile  fetters,  among  the  professors  of  religion  little  of  the 
power  of  godliness  was  visible. 

"  We  rejoice  in  the  progress  of  civil  liberty,  because  so 
intimately  related  to  the  liberty  with  which  Christ  has 
made  us  free ;  but  we  perceive  that,  as  it  moves,  papal 
superstition  and  protestant  insensibility  are  brought  to 
light.  While  these  are,  by  their  advocates,  termed  reli- 
gion, the  infidel,  with  an  air  of  plausibility,  exclaims — all 
religion  is  vain. 

"  Permit  us.  Christian  brethren,  as  such  who  watch  for 
your  souls,  to  guard  your  minds  against  the  influence  of 
this  prevailing  evil.  In  this  unfriendly  world,  popular  sen- 
timents, though   evidently   erroneous,   sometimes  produce 


D  B.     S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  47 

an  unhappy  effect  on  the  minds  of  such  who  are  coming 
up  out  of  tlic  world.  The  unavoidable  habits  of  society, 
operating  in  conjunction  with  remaining  depravity,  too 
frequently  give  a  tone  to  the  thoughts  and  actions  of  be- 
lievers, which  is  contrary  to  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ. 
Brethren,  forgive  the  jealousy  we  feel,  lest  they  produce 
this  effect  among  you. 

"  As  an  antidote  to  this  evil,  we  affectionately  exhort 
you  to  labor  after  an  enlarged  acquaintance  with  divine 
truth.  Let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all 
wisdom.  You  have  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  you; 
stand  prepared,  on  every  proper  occasion,  to  give  it  with 
meekness  and  fear.  While  you  implore  the  teaching  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  search  the  Scriptures.  The  religion  of 
Jesus  courts  the  investigation  of  all,  but  it  has  a  special 
claim  on  the  attention  of  the  righteous.  Ye  are  set  as  a 
defence  of  the  Gospel ;  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is 
the  word  of  God,  is  put  into  your  hands;  be  ambitious  to 
use  it  with  a  happy  dexterity.  Prompt  and  ingenious  are 
the  sons  of  infidelity  in  disseminating  error  ;  and  shall  the 
sons  of  God  be  inactive  and  unskilful  in  the  support  of 
truth  ?  Never  do  the  triumphs  of  an  infidel  rise  higher  than 
wlien  a  man  of  God  stands  foiled  before  him. 

"  But  while  we  urge  you  to  seek  an  increase  of  the 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  when 
duty  invites  to  appear  as  the  advocates  for  evangelical 
piety,  we  beseech  you  scrupulously  to  banish  a  love  of  vain 
disputation.  Aware  of  the  invincible  arguments  in  favor 
of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  prone  to  mingle  our  per- 
sonal interests  with  the  subject  we  defend,  we  are  in  dan- 
ger of  disputing  for  the  poor  reward  of  victory. 

"  Remember,  brethren,  the  religion  we  profess  is  of  in- 
fii  lite  moment ;  seriousness  ought  to  attend  all  our  labors 
tq  maintain  its  truth.     If  you  attempt  to  defend  the  Gospel 


48  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  P 

with  infidel  wit  and  heroism,  a  wound  Avill  be  received  in 
the  house  of  a  friend  ;  but  when  you  appear  in  its  defence, 
with  all  the  weight  of  eternal  concerns  on  your  minds, 
the  circumstance,  like  the  splendor  on  the  countenance  of 
Moses,  will  make  a  rebellious  people  tremble.  It  is  ac- 
knowledged, that  the  shafts  of  satire  are  sometimes  pro- 
jected with  success  against  vice  and  error ;  but  they  more 
frequently  fall  pointless  to  the  ground.  The  weapon  is 
dangerous,  and  in  the  sacred  pages  little  used.  Every 
sentiment  has  its  natural  influence.  The  tendency  of  in- 
fidelity is  to  produce  ridicule  and  folly,  while  wisdom  and 
seriousness  are  the  offspring  of  religion.  When  we,  by 
folly  and  ridicule,  attempt  to  overturn  popular  errors,  we 
give  the  wicked  an  easy  triumph,  by  indulging  in  ourselves 
the  unhappy  influence,  at  the  time  we  condemn  the  senti- 
ment. But  before  a  holy  savor  of  truth,  as  before  the  in- 
cense of  the  altar  in  Bethel,  the  lifted  arm  of  every  opposing 
Jeroboam  will  be  dried  up. 

"  But,  brethren,  it  is  not  enough  that  you  maintain  the 
truth  by  argument ;  the  purity  of  your  walk  and  conversa- 
tion will  best  demonstrate  the  sincerity  and  excellency  of 
your  faith.  Errors  have  for  ages  distracted  the  Christian 
church  ;  but  they  have  generally  originated  in  the  ungodly 
lives  of  the  professors  of  religion.  The  enemies  of  the 
cross  blend  together  the  Gospel  of  Christ  and  the  lives  of 
its  subjects,  and  when  believers  sin,  ascribe  the  iniquity  to 
the  Gospel  itself  At  a  time  like  the  present,  when  the 
adversaries  of  truth  are  torturing  their  invention  for  new 
arguments  against  the  cause  which  ought  to  be  dearer  to 
you  than  your  lives,  how  ought  you  to  walk  circumspectly, 
not  as  fools,  but  as  wise,  that  by  well-doing  ye  may  put  to 
silence  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men.  There  is,  brethren, 
an  awfulness  in  piety,  before  the  display  of  which  the  most 
hardened  infidel  is  occasionally  confounded.     While  youi 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  49 

conversation  is  as  becometh  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  assure 
yourselves,  that  though  the  ungodly  outwardly  laugh  at 
and  contemn  you,  they  inwardly  tremble  and  approve. 

"  For  nearly  a  century  past,  shame,  arising  from  de- 
rision, has  been  but  little  realized  in  the  church  ;  we  have 
long  sat  peaceful  and  blessed,  as  under  vines  and  fig-trees. 
But  in  the  present  day,  by  appearing  as  the  friends  of  vital 
and  experimental  godliness,  by  determining,  assisted  by 
the  Holy  Spirit,  to  follow  the  Lamb  of  God,  whithersoever 
he  goeth,  we  must  expect  to  have  our  ideas  pitied  as  mis- 
taken, and  our  affections  derided  as  enthusiastic.  But  to 
suffer  for  well-doing  is  an  honor ;  and  while  we  consider 
shame  for  the  sake  of  Jesus,  not  as  an  evil  patiently  to  be 
borne,  but  as  a  mark  of  glory,  of  which,  like  the  apostles, 
we  are  accounted  worthy,  like  them  we  shall  rejoice  in 
him. 

"  When  you  enter  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord,  or  retire 
into  your  closets,  and  hold  communion  with  your  own 
hearts,  and  with  the  God  of  your  salvation,  the  hard  speeches 
of  the  wicked  will  appear  lighter  than  vanity ;  and  while 
you  reflect,  that  the  natural  man  knoweth  not  the  things  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  and  that  base  things  of  the  world  are 
chosen  to  confound  the  mighty,  for  the  aversion  of  the 
learned  and  opulent  in  our  day,  you  will  as  easily  account, 
as  for  the  conduct  of  the  Jews  and  Greeks,  in  the  days  of 
the  apostles,  in  pronouncing  the  preaching  of  the  cross  a 
stumbling-block  and  foolishness.  As  the  purity  of  the 
Gospel  is  educible  from  the  aversion  of  wicked  men,  so 
the  impurity  of  infidel  opinions  is  demonstrable  from  their 
passionate  zeal  for  their  diffusion. 

"From  the  earliest  ages  of  time,  the  world  has  had  its 
course.  Lust,  idolatry,  persecution  and  superstition  have 
successively  been  as  mighty  streams,  on  which  thousands 
have  been  borne  along  to  ruin.     At  present,  infidelity  pre- 


50  MEMOIROF 

vails  ;  but  it  is  an  evil,  and  every  evil,  like  the  frail  body 
of  man,  hrs  the  principle  of  decay  within  itself  An  infidel 
exhibits  his  sentiments,  and  considers  them  as  a  lamp  to 
the  nations.  His  actions  testify,  it  is  the  lamp  of  the 
wicked,  and  heaven  declares  the  lamp  of  the  wicked  shall 
be  put  out. 

"While  the  nations  rage,  and  the  earth  is  moved,  ye  who 
love  the  God  of  Israel  and  pray  for  tiie  prosperity  of  Zion, 
like  venerable  Eli,  when  the  Philistines  were  contending 
between  Ebenezer  and  Aphek,  may  tremble  for  the  ark  of 
the  Lord  ;  but  not  like  him  shall  ye  sink  under  the  dis- 
tressing information,  that  the  ark  is  taken — the  kingdom 
of  Jesus  overthrown.  Universal  empire  and  permanent 
prosperity  are  promised  to  the  great  Redeemer  :  of  the  in- 
crease of  his  dominion  and  peace  there  shall  be  no  end. 
The  present  spread  of  infidelity,  far  from  portending  the 
destruction  of  Christianity,  establishes  its  truths,  by  fulfil- 
ling its  predictions.  The  earth  is  waxing  old,  like  a  gar- 
ment, and,  like  smoke,  the  heavens  will  shortly  vanish 
away  ;  all  flesh  is  grass,  and  the  grass  withereth,  but  the 
word  of  our  God,  which  by  the  Gospel  is  preached  unto 
you,  shall  stand  forever.  Banish  Christianity  from  the 
world,  and  what  remains  but  guilt  and  death  ?  But  this 
is  a  living  system,  and  must  prevail  till  the  kingdoms  of 
this  world  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his 
Christ. 

"  When  pursuing  the  interests  of  Zion,  we  are  fellow- 
workers  with  God.  Do  we  pray  for  the  coming  of  the 
Saviour's  kingdom  1  martyrs,  at  the  foot  of  the  altar,  join 
our  prayers.  Do  we  groan  1  we  groan  with  the  creation, 
which  travails  for  the  redemption  of  the  body  of  the 
righteous.  Do  we  expect  the  period  ?  we  expect  with 
Jesus.  At  the  right  hand  of  his  father  he  sits,  henceforth 
expecting,  until  his  enemies  be  made  his  footstool. 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  51 

"The  God  of  heaven  baffles  the  designs  of  Satan,  and 
laughs  at  the  rage  of  the  wicked  against  his  Anointed. 
When  persecution  was  stirred  up  at  Jerusalem,  the  disci- 
ples, indeed,  were  scattered  ;  but  by  their  dispersion  their 
sound  went  out  into  all  lands,  and  their  words  unto  the 
end  of  the  world.  As  persecution  was  formerly  made  to 
promote  the  Gospel,  by  separating  the  disciples,  in  the 
present  age  infidelity  appears  to  answer  the  same  grand 
design,  by  uniting  them  together.  The  distinctions  which 
till  lately  destroyed  the  happiness  of  different  sects  of 
Christians,  lose  their  importance,  while  they  prepare  to 
encounter  a  common  enemy.  When  the  tribes  of  Israel 
were  at  peace  with  surrounding  nations,  contentions  com- 
monly existed  among  themselves ;  but  when  a  foreign  foe 
drew  near  to  battle,  the  different  tribeships  were  forgotten, 
while  in  one  great  band,  as  the  people  of  God,  they  march- 
ed to  contest  and  victory. 

"  Amid  the  important  revolutions,  with  which  we  are 
daily  familiar,  let  us  pray,  that,  standing  with  our  loins 
girt  about,  and  our  lamps  burning,  we  may  be  prepared 
for  every  event,  and  that,  our  work  on  earth  being  finished, 
we  may  enter  into  the  joy  of  our  Lord." 

Events  in  providence  seemed  to  invite  him  to  settle  in 
Burlington,  N.  J.  To  this  place  he  removed  towards  the 
close  of  the  year  1793.  Here  he  had  charge  of  a  large 
and  flourishing  academy.  Many  of  his  pupils  were  board- 
ers, generally  from  forty  to  fifty  in  number,  besides  others 
who  resided  in  the  place.  His  scholars  were  among  the 
best  prepared  young  men  that  entered  and  graduated  at 
the  Princeton  college.  While  his  pupils  reverenced  him, 
and  loved  him  as  a  father,  their  parents  acknowledged 
their  obligations  and  their  gratitude.  The  following  ex- 
tract of  a  letter  to  him  is  but  one  specimen  among  many 
of  the  truth  of  this  statement : 


52  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

"  I  cannot  conclude,  without  gratefully,  and  from  the 
bottom  of  my  heart,  testifying  to  you  the  high  sense  I  en- 
tertain of  your  watchful  care  over  my  dear  son,  who,  under 
the  Almighty  guidance,  bids  so  fair  to  be  a  comfort  to  me 
in  my  old  age.  I  have,  indeed,  every  reason  to  be  thank- 
ful, and  were  I  rich,  should  testify  it  in  a  more  acceptable 
manner.     At  present,  this  is  all  I  can  do." 

His  habits  of  industry  and  laborious  efforts  were  re- 
marked by  all  who  knew  him.  He  rose  every  morning, 
through  the  summer,  at  a  very  early  hour,  and  cultivated, 
with  his  own  hands,  a  large  garden,  which  was  not  sur- 
passed by  any  in  the  place.  From  six  to  eight,  from  nine 
to  twelve,  in  the  morning,  and  from  two  to  five,  in  the 
afternoon,  his  time  was  employed  in  the  school-room.  In 
addition  to  this,  he  supplied  two  churches  on  the  Lord's 
day,  preached  frequently  through  the  week,  and  found  time 
to  pursue  his  private  studies  to  considerable  advantage. 
He  was  honored  by  the  head  of  the  church  to  raise  up  a 
Baptist  interest  in  Burlington.  It  was  commenced  with 
fourteen  members,  and  at  the  time  of  his  removal  numbered 
ninety-three. 

At  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight,  while  residing  in  this 
place,  he  received  from  the  Princeton  college  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  It  was  granted  upon  the  motion  of 
Governor  Bloomfield,  his  intimate  and  firm  friend  till  death. 
Of  this  honor  he  had  not  the  least  expectation,  being  en- 
tirely ignorant  that  it  was  contemplated.  How  well  quali- 
fied he  was  for  this  degree,  appears  by  a  letter  from  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Rogers  to  a  friend  in  England,  dated  October 
7th,  1801. 

"  Yesterday  our  Association  opened.  The  additions 
were  pleasing.     I  delivered  the  introductory  sermon,  from 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  53 

Psalm  84 :  4.  The  Rev.  James  Ewing,  of  Hopewell,  N.  J. 
was  chosen  moderator,  and  Dr.  William  Staughton,  clerk. 
I  say  Dr.  Staughton,  as  he  was  admitted  to  that  honor  in 
the  college  of  New-Jersey,  at  their  commencement,  last 
week.  Eighteen  trustees  were  present,  and  all  unanimous 
for  conferring  the  degree.  This  will  redound  to  their 
credit  and  liberality,  as  we  have  very  few  men  among  us 
wlio  better  ornament  their  stations  or  adorn  the  doctrine 
of  God,  our  Saviour." 

In  the  year  1804,  he  was  strongly  solicited  to  settle  in 
the  West,  and  some  offers,  apparently  advantageous  to 
himself,  and  promising  great  usefulness  in  the  cause  of 
Christ,  were  made  to  him  by  a  gentleman  residing  in  the 
State  of  Ohio.  To  make  some  investigations  upon  this 
subject,  he  visited  the  West,  and  formed  an  extensive  ac- 
quaintance with  Baptist  ministers. 

In  the  course  of  this  excursion,  he  became  perfectly 
satisfied  that  a  removal  would  neither  promote  his  comfort 
nor  his  usefulness,  under  the  existing  circumstances.  He 
therefore  returned  home,  and  resumed  his  labors  in  Bur- 
lington. 

Ever  solicitous  for  the  present  and  future  welfare  of  his 
children,  he  composed,  on  this  journey,  a  hymn  for  his 
eldest  daughter.  He  was  well  aware  of  the  influence  of 
sacred  poetry  upon  the  youthful  mind,  and  especially  when 
cherished  as  the  production  of  an  affectionate  and  absent 
father. 

Hymn  composed  for  Leo.xora,  by  her  father,  October  7th,  1804,  in  the 
wilderness,  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  east  of  Cincinnati  ; 

1.     Almiglity  King,  my  infant  heart 

Would  raise  its  thouglits  to  thee  ; 
Be  thou  my  friend,  my  better  part  ; 
May  I  thy  servant  be. 
6 


54  M  E  M  O  I  R     O  F 

2.  By  nature,  far  from  all  that's  good, 

And  prone  to  every  sin  ; 
O,  wash  me  in  the  Saviour's  blood, 
For  that  can  make  me  clean. 

3.  Assist  me,  as  my  years  increase, 

To  choose  and  love  thy  ways  ; 
And  may  tliy  Spirit  give  me  grace 
To  manifest  thy  praise. 

4.  Then,  when  my  dying  hour  shall  come, 

Saved  from  an  awful  hell ; 
May  heaven  be  my  eternal  home, 
And  I  with  angels  dwell. 

During  the  early  part  of  his  residence  in  Burlington, 
death  deprived  him  of  his  eldest  child,  Hinton.  He  died 
on  the  14th  of  December,  1799,  the  day  on  which  Wash- 
ington departed  this  life.  In  his  mother's  arms,  while 
holding  him  in  a  bath,  and  unconscious  of  his  extreme 
danger,  he  sweetly  and  silently  passed  away.  His  affec- 
tionate mother  immediately  exclaimed,  in  a  firm  voice, 
"  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  and  bless- 
ed be  the  name  of  the  Lord."  The  father  replied,  "  Amen, 
my  dear,  amen."  The  night  this  lovely  child  deceased, 
the  physician  remained  with  the  family ;  and  he  afterwards 
declared,  that  religion  never  appeared  to  him  so  lovely  as 
it  did  that  night,  seeing  the  affection,  and  yet  the  resigna- 
tion, of  the  parents. 

The  following  letter,  from  his  afflicted  father,  gives  an 
account  of  the  child's  sickness  and  decease,  and  will  be 
read  with  interest : 

''Burlington,  Jan.  31,  1800. 
"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  in  Burlington, 
it  has  been  the  pleasure  of  our  heavenly  Father  to  visit  my 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  X.  55 

Maria  and  self  with  an  affliction  more  severe  than  any  we 
had  previously  known.  That  lovely  little  fellow  you  saw 
playing  about  our  parlor,  and  heard  prattling  the  names  of 
your  son,  iMr.  Furnian,  his  parents,  and  of  every  member 
of  our  family,  now  prattles  on  earth  no  more.  The  precious 
infant  has,  by  death,  been  removed  from  a  world  of  sin 
and  grief,  to  realms  of  perpetual  purity  and  felicity. 

"  The  same  day  which  deprived  the  United  States  of 
their  Commander  in  Chief  witnessed  the  departure  of  our 
dear  little  William  H.  Staughton  from  earth  to  glory.  On 
the  Monday  I  returned  from  Philadelphia,  he  was  vigorous 
as  the  morning,  and  smiling  as  the  spring.  On  Tuesday,  I 
was  fondly  comparing  his  height  with  a  child  in  our  family, 
who  was  more  than  four  years  old,  and  pleased  with  his 
equalling  her  in  tallness,  and  exceeding  her  in  health  and 
vigor.  On  Thursday  morning,  he  was  taken  with  a  hoarse- 
ness in  his  throat,  Avhich  yielded  to  medicine,  and  towards 
the  middle  of  the  day  he  appeared  to  have  perfectly  recov- 
ered. In  the  evening,  he  was  visited  with  a  return  of  the 
complaint,  which  wc  soon  discovered  to  be  the  croup.  We 
instantly  called  in  medical  assistance ;  and  though  every 
means  was  used  wc  could  conceive  proper,  yet  medicine 
was  inefficacious,  hopes  were  disappointed,  and  on  Satur- 
day morning,  on  the  lap  of  his  afflicted  mother,  he  fell 
asleep. 

"  Oh,  my  dear  brother,  I  cannot  tell  you  how  great  the 
shock  has  been.  My  dear  Maria  was  the  less  able  to  bear 
it,  as  her  health  is  very  feeble ;  but,  blessed  be  the  Lord, 
who  '  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation,'  we  have  found 
grace  sufficient  where  we  thought  we  must  have  sunk  in 
deep  waters — we  have  found  the  word  of  promise  true, 
'  When  thou  passest  through  the  waters  I  will  be  with  thee, 
and  through  the  floods,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee.'  Two 
little  works.  Dr.  Grosvenor's  Mourner,   and   Mr.  Flavel'g 


56  MEMOIROF 

Token  for  Mourners,  have,  under  God,  proved  mines  of 
consolation  ;  but  still,  the  loss  of  a  Jirst-horn,  lovely,  only, 
promising  child,  requires  great  grace  to  enable  the  mind, 
with  perfect  reconciliation,  to  say,  '  The  Lord  gave,  and 
the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  and  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord.'     I  feel  happy  in  being  able  to  say  that  these  words 

were  uttered  by  my  dear  Mrs.  S ,  just  as  the  spirit  left 

the  lovely  clay. 

"With  the  most  sincere  respect  and  affection, 

"I  am,  my  dear  Sir,  your  friend  and  brother, 

"W.  STAUGHTON. 
Mr.  Wm.  Inglesby." 

About  twenty-five  years  after  this  sad  event,  I  walked 
with  him  one  day  to  the  gate  of  the  burying-ground,  in 
which  the  ashes  of  his  child  reposed.  Pie  pointed  to  the 
spot,  and  said,  "There  lies  my  precious  little  Hinton." 
He  turned  away — his  heart  was  full,  and  the  tears  rolled 
down  his  cheeks,  as  though  the  departure  of  the  child  was 
the  event  of  the  preceding  day.  On  the  stone  erected  to 
mark  the  spot  where  he  sleeps,  after  the  date  of  his  death 
and  the  age  at  which  he  died,  are  seen  the  beautiful  lines 
of  Dr.  Doddridge  : 

"  See,  Israel's  gentle  Shepherd  stands, 

With  all  engaging  charms  ; 
Hark  !  how  he  calls  the  tender  lagabs, 

And  folds  them  in  his  arms." 


DR.      ST.VUGHTON.  57 


CHAPTER    III. 

Removal  to  Philadelphia — connection  with  tlic  first  Baptist  church 
— condition  of  the  Baptists  in  tliat  churcli,  and  tiicir  subsequent 
prosperity — Sabbath  morning  prcaciiing  near  the  Swedes'  cliurch 
— extensive  labors,  and  great  popularity — prayer-meeting  in  Lom- 
bard-street— his  dependence  on  the  righteousness  of  Christ — re- 
signation of  the  pastoral  ciiargc  of  the  first  church,  with  the  mo- 
tives inducing  this  step — final  address  to  them. 

We  have  now  arrived  at  a  most  important  period  in  the 
life  of  Dr.  Staughton.  Having  frequently,  towards  the 
close  of  his  residence  in  Burlington,  visited  Philadelphia, 
and  preached  in  the  first  Baptist  church,  an  effort  was 
made  to  secure  his  entire  services  in  that  body.  He  was 
accordingly  invited  to  supply  the  church  for  one  year.  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  wait  on  him,  and  obtain  his 
consent.  Previously  to  this,  the  reasons  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing letter  will  exhibit,  one  of  the  committee,  Dr.  Bil- 
lings, was  requested  to  write  to  him. 

"  Philadelphia ,  January  I5th,  1805. 
"  My  dear  brother, 

"  The  object  of  this  letter  is  to  inform  you,  that,  at  an 
adjourned  church  meeting  of  the  first  church,  last  evening, 
a  vote  was  carried,  "  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to 
wait  on  Dr.  Staughton,  in  order  to  ascertain  whether  he 
would  supply  the  church  for  one  year,  and  upon  what  con- 
ditions." I,  therefore,  am  requested  by  the  committee  to 
write  to  you,  to  know  whether  you  are  coming  to  Philadel- 
phia, the  latter  end  of  this  week,  or  the  beginning  of  the 
next,  having  heard  that  )'ou  are.  If  not,  to  inform  you 
that  the  committee  intend  visiting  you  next  Saturday.  Yon 

G* 


58  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

are  affectionately  requested  to  send  an  answer  to  this  letter 
by  return  of  post,  to 

"  Your  unworthy  servant, 

THOMAS  BILLINGS." 

In  the  same  letter,  the  reason  is  assigned  why  the  call 
was  made  for  one  year.  "  Upon  due  investigation,  the 
church  are,  at  present,  under  a  few  embarrassments  re- 
specting their  finances.  Prudence,  therefore,  I  hope,  has 
directed  them  to  the  procuring  of  a  supply  for  one  year,  at 
which  time  it  is  expected  they  will  be  both  able  to  call  a 
pastor,  and  make  him  comfortable." 

For  some  time  after  the  acceptance  of  this  invitation,  his 
family  continued  to  reside  in  Burlington,  while  he  himself 
was  residing  and  preaching  in  Philadelphia.  His  feelings 
are  very  briefly  expressed  in  a  letter  dated  September  10th, 
1805.  "  It  is  a  strange  sort  of  life  to  live,  boarding  and 
laboring  in  one  place,  while  you  and  the  children  are  liv- 
ing in  another.  However,  I  must  submit."  Those  who 
were  personally  acquainted  with  his  attachment  to  the  do- 
mestic circle,  know  that  this  mode  of  living  must  have 
been  to  him  a  peculiar  trial. 

The  Baptists,  at  this  time,  were  few,  and  their  house  of 
worship,  in  Second-street,  contracted,  being  only  forty-two 
feet  by  sixty.  Their  congregation  was  almost  the  smallest 
in  the  city.  In  a  short  time  after  his  labors  commenced, 
a  great  change  was  visible.  The  congregation  increased, 
so  that  not  only  the  pews  were  filled,  but  the  very  aisles  of 
the  building  were  crowded  with  hearers.  The  prospects  of 
a  revival  were  exceedingly  animating,  and  the  providence 
of  God  seemed  to  indicate  that  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
had  at  length  entered  the  appropriate  field  of  his  future 
ministrations. 

On  the  second  Monday  in  March,  1806,  Dr.  Staughton 


DR.      ST  A  U  G  11  T  O  N.  59 

was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church.  It  was  soon 
found  necessary  to  enlarge  the  building  in  which  they 
worshipped  to  its  present  dimensions  of  sixty  feet  in 
breadth  by  seventy-three  in  depth.  The  amount  arising 
from  pew  rents  changed,  from  about  six  hundred  annually, 
to  more  than  two  thousand  dollars.  To  the  enlargement 
of  the  house,  his  personal  exertions  contributed.  Day  after 
day,  he  toiled,  with  cheerfulness,  among  the  citizens,  to 
raise  the  requisite  sum.  The  church  seemed  to  be  blest 
with  the  incessant  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  During 
his  ministry  among  them,  more  than  a  hundred  members 
were  added  by  letter,  and  nearly  three  hundred  by  bap- 
tism. Two  churches  were  constituted  out  of  this  body, 
the  third  Baptist,  and  the  first  African,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  a  commodious  building  was  erected  on  the  banks  of 
the  Schuylkill  for  the  convenience  of  candidates  on  baptis- 
mal occasions.  The  letters  which  are  here  inserted  have 
relation  to  this  period  of  his  ministry.  They  were  written 
to  Mr.  Inglesby,  of  Charleston,  S.  C. 

''Philadelphia,  June  14,  1806. 
"  My  dear  brother, 

"  I  received  duly  your  favors  of  the  12th  of  May.  I 
pray  God  this  sheet  may  find  yoa  safely  arrived  in  our  na- 
tive country,  and  enjoying  those  sacred  pleasures  which 
the  presence  of  God  and  the  company  of  his  people  are  so 
capable  of  imparting.  To  see,  once  more,  the  white  hills 
of  Albion,  would  be  to  me  a  very  great  gratification.  I  do 
not,  however,  hope  to  sliare  it ;  and  the  habit  of  relinquish- 
ing the  hope  has,  in  some  measure,  reconciled  me  to  the 
trial.  I  have,  nevertheless,  dear  friends,  whose  memory 
must  be  dear,  so  long  as  the  faculty  of  recollection  remains, 
who  still  inhabit  the  shores  which  gave  me  birth.  Should 
you  be  able  to  give  my  father  a  call,  he  will   be  happy  to 


60  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

see  you,  as  the  affectionate  friend  of  his  son.  His  lot  in 
life  is  not  among  the  children  of  wealth,  but  he  is  rich  in 
faith,  and  an  heir  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Should  you 
see  my  parents,  tell  them  I  have  written  them  by  the  last 
packet,  and  that  we  are  all  well.  Give  our  love  to  them, 
and  all  our  dear  relatives.  Mrs.  Staughton's  mother  resides 
at  Bromsgrove.  You  will  find  her,  by  inquiring  for  Mrs. 
Martin,  late  Dr.  Martin.  She  will  be  truly  happy  to  see 
you. 

"  Should  you  visit  Oxford,  call  on  Mr.  Hinton.  Tell  him 
you  are  my  affectionate  friend,  and  that  will  make  him 
yours.  If  I  can,  I  will  write  him  by  the  Cornplanter,  the 
ship  that  is  to  convey  this  to  you.  The  work  of  God  in 
Philadelphia  is  gloriously  progressing.  Last  month,  I  bap- 
tized sixteen.  As  many  among  us  have  followed  the  Lord 
Jesus  during  the  present  month,  and  I  expect,  at  the  be- 
ginning of  July,  to  take  into  the  Schuylkill  at  least  as  many 
more.  Our  society  meetings  are  overflowing,  and  great 
numbers  of  young  persons  are  weeping  over  sin,  or  exult- 
ing in  a  precious  Jesus. 

"  We  have  now  at  our  house  two  of  the  brethren  from  the 
Serampore  mission  house  near  Calcutta.  They  arc  on 
their  way  to  England.  I  have  written  Dr.  Rippon  on  the 
subject,  who  will  communicate  the  intelligence  to  the  mis- 
sionary society. 

"  The  Lord  enable  us,  my  dear  brother,  to  live  near  him 
in  the  exercises  of  faith  and  devotion,  and  then  amid  every 
disaster,  whether  by  sea  or  land,  we  shall  be  happy  and 
secure.  We  wish  you  a  safe  return  to  America.  I  shall 
be  happy  to  assure  you,  in  a  living  voice,  without  the 
tediousness  of  letter  writing,  that  I  am, 
"  My  dear  brother, 

"  Very  affectionately  yours, 

W.  STAUGHTON." 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  61 

"  August,  1807. 
"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  I  don't  deserve  the  least  interest  in  your  affection,  and 
yet  I  am  dissatisfied  unless  I  possess  a  very  large  one.  I 
never  wished  to  be  a  better  correspondent  than  7io?c,  and 
yet  I  never  was  a  worse.  Forgive  me — if  while  there's 
life  there's  hope,  I,  notwithstanding  all,  may  mend. 

"  For  some  time  after  receiving  your  favor,  informing 
me  of  your  return  from  England,  I  delayed  writing,  waiting 
for  time  to  write  you  a  long  letter.  Time,  '  ever  stealing,' 
had  gone  away  so  far,  tliat  I  became  doubtful  whether  or 
not  you  were  on  your  way  to  us.  We  have  been  hourly, 
weekly  expecting  you.  We  have  this  summer  a  beautiful 
situation,  four  miles  from  Philadelphia,  where  we  hoped  to 
have  spent  many  pleasant  days  together,  and  to  which,  if  it 
be  not  too  late,  we  beg  of  you  still  to  come. 

"  Our  cities  have  been  mercifully  free  from  yellow  fever, 
but  have  been  visited  with  a  very  troublesome  influenza.  I 
suspect  at  least  ten  thousand  of  the  inhabitants  of  Phila- 
delphia and  the  country  round  have  been  so  afflicted ;  per- 
haps twice  the  number.  Last  Lord's  day,  I  went  through 
the  services  much  as  usual,  with  comfort  to  myself  In  the 
evening,  I  felt  a  sore  throat;  on  Monday,  a  high  fever; 
Tuesday,  better ;  Wednesday,  feeble,  but  thought  the  worst 
was  over ;  Thursday  morning,  on  rising  from  bed,  I  was 
taken  with  a  violent  chill,  followed  by  a  high  fever  all  the 
day  ;  yesterday,  better  ;  to-day,  arose,  expecting  the  chill's 
return,  but  find  myself  so  much  better  as  to  be  able  to 
write  to  Charleston.  The  disorder  usually  lasts  about 
three  or  four  days.  Mine  has  been  prolonged  by  the  cold 
and  chill.  Should  you  visit  us,  I  hope  all  will  be  over  be- 
fore you  arrive.  Mrs.  Staughton  is  now  down  with  it.  By 
the  way,  you  must  completely  exonerate  her  of  all  blame, 
or  share  in   the  blame,  of  not  writing  you  earlier ;  for  she 


62  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

has,  I  am  ashamed  to  tell  you,  been  urging  me  on,  almost 
to  a  degree  of  persecution. 

"  Through  mercy,  the  church  is  on  the  increase,  grad- 
ually, if  not  rapidly.  I  have  baptized,  every  month,  one 
only  excepted,  for  the  last  eighteen  or  twenty  months,  and 
the  work,  I  trust,  is  still  on  its  way.  We  have  purchased 
ground  for  enlarging  our  house,  and  hope,  in  the  spring,  to 
enter  on  the  building. 

"  Wishing  you  much  of  the  Lord's  presence,  I  continue 
"  Your  very  affectionate  brother, 

W.  STAUGHTON." 

"  Germantown,  Aug.  14,  1809. 
"My  dear  Brother, 

"  Your  favor  of  the  5th  lay  several  days  in  our  German- 
town  post-office.  You  will  have  the  goodness  to  direct  all 
your  letters  to  Philadelphia.  I  thank  you  for  that  affec- 
tionate concern  you  discover  for  my  impaired  health.  I 
hope  it  is  improving.  I  wish  to  feel  myself  in  the  hands 
of  a  gracious  and  faithful  God.     I  am  trying  to  my  utmost 

to  diminish  the  sphere  of  ray  daily  and  weekly  toil. 

****** 

"  Nothing  material  has  occurred  in  our  religious  circles 
since  I  saw  you,  and  as  to  the  political,  I  am  persuaded 
you  are  far  wiser  than  I  am.  To  teach  a  few  children  the 
elements  of  science,  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  to 
preach 

'•■  Salvation  from  the  Lord, 
To  M^rctched,  dying  men," 

is  all  the  public  service  to  which  I  see  myself  called,  and 
almost  all  for  which  I  greatly  care. 

"I  am,  in  the  best  of  bonds, 

"  Affectionately  yours, 

W.  STAUGHTON." 


D  K.      ST  A  U  G  II  T  O  X.  63 

To  contemplate  the  multiplied  engagements  of  Dr. 
Stauiihton  during  his  residence  in  Pliihidelphia,  it  would 
seem  almost  impossible  that  any  human  constitution  could 
sustain  them.  Besides  the  daily  instruction  of  youth,  he 
preached  for  some  time  four  sermons  every  Lord's  day. 
His  morning  exercise,  at  six  o'clock,  was  exceedingly  inter- 
esting. This  took  place  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city, 
near  the  Swedes'  church,  under  a  large  beach  tree.  Fre- 
quently from  eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  persons  were 
assembled  together,  among  whom  were  many  seamen. 
Here  many  solemn  and  weeping  seasons  were  experienced, 
and  many  will  bless  God  through  eternity  that  they  ever 
sat  under  the  shade  of  the  venerable  beach,  and  heard  the 
voice  of  kim,  who,  being  dead,  yet  speaketh.  The  texts  of 
scripture  from  which  he  preached  on  these  occasions,  were 
of  a  peculiarly  appropriate  character,  such,  for  example,  as 
the  following :  "  And  he  shall  be  as  the  light  of  the  morn- 
ing, when  the  sun  riseth,  even  a  morning  without  clouds ; 
as  the  tender  grass  springing  out  of  the  earth  by  clear  shin- 
ing after  rain."  "  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining 
light,  which  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 
Prov.  4  :  IS.  "  The  day-spring  from  on  high  hath  visited 
us."     Luke,  1 :  78. 

It  is  a  tribute  of  respect  due  to  Mr.  Beasley,  who  threw 
open  his  premises  for  this  purpose,  to  say,  that  he  and  his 
family  prepared  temporary  seats,  and  made  arrangements 
for  the  convenience  of  the  assembly  with  the  greatest  cheer- 
fuhiess  and  zeal.  The  Doctor  has  often  mentioned  their 
conduct  with  the  warmest  commendation. 

The  last  season  he  preached  there,  his  friends  entreated 
him  not  to  resume  the  toil,  as  his  health  was  obviously  in- 
competent to  the  exertion.  His  closing  sermon  was  from 
the  words,  "  Let  us  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  mat- 
ter ;  fear  God  and  keep  his  commandments,  for  this  is  the 


64  M  E  M  O  I  R     O  F 

whole  duty  of  man.  For  God  shall  bring  every  work  into 
judgment,  with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or 
whether  it  be  evil." 

In  Philadelphia  he  first  began  to  exercise  that  extensive 
influence  in  society,  and  particularly  in  his  own  denomina- 
tion, to  which  the  most  commanding  talents,  associated 
with  the  happiest  address,  entitled  him.  His  brethren  in 
other  places  now  sought  his  counsel,  and  numerous  churches 
solicited  his  judgment,  as  to  persons  suitable  to  be  placed 
over  them  in  the  Lord.  He  had  a  great  facility  of  discern- 
ing the  capacities  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  re- 
commending stations  in  which  they  might  accomplish  the 
greatest  amount  of  good. 

By  the  permission  of  his  friend  and  brother,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Maylia,  the  following  testimony  is  inserted  from  his  journal. 
He  says:  "  Upon  our  landing,  we  waited  on  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Staughton,  pastor  of  the  first  Baptist  church  meeting  in 
Second-street,  to  whom  we  had  letters  of  introduction  ;  who 
gave  us  a  most  friendly  reception,  welcoming  us  to  his 
hospitable  abode,  and  who  acted  towards  us,  during  the 
whole  of  our  stay,  the  part  of  a  faithful  and  affectionate 
friend.  His  intelligent,  pious  conversation,  and  agreeable 
manners,  with  the  interest  he  took  in  the  missionary  cause, 
soon  gained  for  him  our  respect  and  warm  admiration. 
We  accompanied  the  Doctor  the  evening  of  our  arrival,  to 
a  religious  meeting  at  Lombard-street,  at  sister  Bright's. 
Here,  for  the  first  time,  an  opportunity  presented  of  notic- 
ing his  qualifications  for  usefulness  as  a  preacher,  in  win- 
ning souls  to  Christ,  and  which  afterwards  was  more  fully 
confirmed.  In  labors  he  was  abundant,  in  success  eminent, 
in  the  good  opinion  of  society  singularly  favored,  insomuch 
as  to  command  a  general  respect  for  his  uncommon  ability 
and  eloquence.  Distinguished  men  from  all  the  learned 
professions,  respectable  and  influential  citizens,  and  a  varied 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  U  T  O  N.  65 

company  of  all  descriptions,  seemed  equally  desirous  of 
hearing  him  preach.  Let  it  be  understood,  moreover,  that 
the  fervor  of  Christian  devotion  which  was  observable  might 
have  produced  a  tendency  to  animate  the  strain  of  his 
preaching." 

The  prayer-meeting  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Bright,  in  Lom- 
bard-street, to  which  the  above  passage  refers,  is  of  too 
interesting  a  character  to  be  passed  over  by  a  slight  notice. 
It  was  a  bethel  to  many  souls.  Deep  solemnity  marked 
the  exercises.  The  cry  was  frequently  made,  "What  shall 
I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  One  who  had  participated  largely  in 
the  blessings  of  this  meeting,  says,  "  the  apartment  in  which 
it  was  held  was  almost  always  crowded  with  solenni  and 
attentive  hearers."  Alluding  to  Dr.  Staughton,  he  con- 
tinues :  "  His  faculties  at  that  period  were  in  their  full 
vigor,  and  he  preached  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias, 
turning  the  disobedient  to  the  wisdom  of  the  just.  For 
several  years  a  large  proportion  of  those  who  joined  the 
Baptist  church  in  Second-street,  were  either  awakened 
or  obtained  peace  in  believing,  at  these  meetings.  Such 
soul-refreshing  seasons  I  have  never  witnessed,  either  be- 
fore or  since.     I  sometimes  think  of  them,  as 

'  Joys  departeil.  ne'er  to  be  recalled.'  " 

To  witness  the  march  of  the  Redeemer's  empire  was  his 
highest  gratification.  It  is  not  unfrequently  the  case  that 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  from  an  improper  jealousy,  from 
positive  ignorance  of  their  duty,  or  from  a  meanness  that 
ill  accords  with  Christian  character,  oppose  the  admission 
of,  members  for  the  purpose  of  forming  new  churches. 
Nothing  can  be  more  adverse  to  genuine  piety,  and  to  the 
interests  of  the  cause  of  Christ,  than  a  course  of  this  kind. 
How  far  this  differs  from  the  character  of  our  deceased 
friend,  let  the  churches  which  he  was  instrumental  in  rais- 


66  M  E  M  0  I  R      O  F 

ing  up  in  Philadelphia  testify.  Let  the  following  extract 
of  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Maylin,  then  at  Serampore,  be 
read  with  attention,  and  it  will  be  found  to  contain  the 
spirit  by  which  he  was  influenced  in  all  his  public  minis- 
trations. The  letter  is  dated  July  31st,  1809  :  "  I  under- 
stand it  is  in  contemplation  to  have  another  Baptist  church, 
immediately,  in  Southwark.  Twenty-two  members,  I  ex- 
pect, will  apply  next  church-meeting  for  letters  of  admis- 
sion for  the  purpose.  Our  brother  Peekworth  will,  most 
probably,  be  constituted  with  them,  and  become  their  pas- 
tor. I  long  and  hope  to  see  several  more  Baptist  churches 
in  our  city,  before  many  years  are  past." 

In  the  same  letter,  the  fixed  resolution  of  his  soul  to  em- 
ploy all  his  strength  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  his  entire 
dependence  upon  the  blood  of  atonement  for  final  accept- 
ance, are  hnppily  exhibited. 

"My  health,  which,  last  winter,  as  you  know,  was  very 
imperfect,  is,  I  hope,  improving.  Sometimes  I  regret  that 
I  cannot  indulge  my  body  a  little  more,  by  diminishing  my 
labors,  but  I  find  I  cannot.  If  it  be  tlie  will  of  the  Lord 
that  I  wear  out,  I  am  quite  ready  for  the  task.  My  great 
concern  is  to  be  of  some  little  use  to  my  dying  fellow-sin- 
ners, while  I  continue  to  breathe;  and  tliat  when  the  breath 
departs,  I  may  find  acceptance  at  last,  through  the  tender 
mercy  of  the  great  Redeemer.  I  am  ashamed  of  every 
service  I  have  performed,  and,  in  prospect  of  the  solemni- 
ties of  an  invisible  state,  have  no  hope  springing  from  any 
source  but  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God." 

With  the  fi.rst  church  he  continued  as  pastor,  until  the 
year  1811.  He  was  a  man  of  v/arm  attachments  and  deli- 
cate sensibilities.  Tender  of  the  feelings  of  others,  he 
claimed  the  same  tenderness  towards  himself,  but  he  felt 
that,  on  the  part  of  some,  the  feelings  of  himself  and  his 
family  were  not  properly  respected ;  and  he  believed  that  it 


DR.      S  T  A  V  U  II  T  O  N.  67 

would  promote  liis  own  comfort,  as  well  as  the  cause  of 
Christ,  that  his  connexion  with  that  church  should  cease. 
When  it  was  understood  that  lie  contemplated  leaving  them, 
many  of  the  most  respectable  and  influential  members 
waited  upon  him,  and  importuned  him,  in  the  most  feeling 
strain,  not  to  resign  his  connexion.  In  addition  to  this 
effort,  the  following  address  was  put  into  his  hand,  signed 
by  a  large  number  of  the  members : 

"We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  first  Baptist 
church  in  Philadelphia,  having,  with  extreme  regret,  heard 
that  our  beloved  and  much  esteemed  pastor,  Dr.  William 
Staughton,  has  been  thinking  of  removing  from  us,  do,  in 
our  individual  capacity,  hereby  express  the  sorrow  of  our 
hearts  at  it,  and  most  sincerely  hope  that  he  may  make  up 
his  mind  to  continue  with  us ;  and  fervently  pray  that  the 
Lord  may  preserve  him  to  us  a  great  blessing  for  many 
years.  We  do  all  express  the  peculiar  satisfaction  and 
edification,  we  have  received  under  his  ministry,  and  the 
warmth  of  our  affection  for  him." 

To  this  he  returned  an  answer  : 

"  January  4,  1811. 
"  To  the  brethren  and  sisters,  members  of  the  first  Baptist 
church  in  Philadelphia,  from  whom  I  have  received  an  af- 
fectionate address,  requesting  me  to  continue  my  connexion 
with  the  body  to  which  they  and  myself  severally  belong  : 
"  My  much  loved,  valued  friends, 

"  The  kindness  your  late  request  discovers,  affects  me 
extremely.  I  receive  it  with  tears  of  gratitude,  and  fer- 
vently pray  that  the  God  of  love  and  peace  may  recompense 
to  your  bosoms  seven  fold.  The  Lord  grant  you  may  find 
mercy  in  that  day,  when  even  a  cup  of  cold  water  shall  not 
lose  its  reward. 

"  From  your  company  and  converse,  since  my  residence 


68 


MEMOIR      OF 


in  Philadelphia,  a  large  proportion  of  my  consolations  have 
resulted.  My  aims  and  my  labors,  God  is  my  witness,  as 
far  as  an  enfeebled  constitution  could  suffer,  have  been  di- 
rected to  the  honor  and  prosperity  of  the  cause  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  in  Second-street.  I  had  hoped  to  have  died  in  the 
service  of  the  church,  and  that  my  remains  in  its  cemetery 
.  would  have  found  their  resting  place ;  but,  as  far  as  I  am 
able,  from  the  providences  of  God,  and  from  the  deep  im- 
pressions of  my  own  heart,  to  collect  the  will  of  my  great 
Master,  my  expectations  were  erroneous. 

"In  the  north  and  south  of  our  city  the  Saviour  has 
planted  a  church,  and  is  adding  his  blessing.  The  western 
part  presents  a  large  circle  of  growing  importance  and  pop- 
ulation, where  scarce  a  mansion  for  the  worship  of  Christ 
is  to  be  found.  An  attempt  was  made,  indeed,  by  the  min-. 
istering  brethren  in  this  city,  to  establish  a  lecture  to  the 
M'estward.  I  had  hoped  it  would  have  succeeded,  but  it 
has  not.  They  have  consented  to  decline  it.  An  open 
door  still  remains,  and  I  feel  it  in  my  heart  to  enter  it. 

"  The  church  in  Second-street  has  grown  to  a  size  too 
unwieldly  for  its  comfort,  and  though  two  churches  have 
been  lately  formed  from  it,  its  numbers  call  aloud  for  the 
constitution  of  more.  A  few  of  our  brethren  and  sisters, 
without  any  concurrence  of  mine,  a  short  time  ago  associat- 
ed themselves  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  mind  of  the 
Lord,  and  of  each  other,  and  are  on  the  eve  of  applying  for 
their  lettersof  dismission,  that  they  may  constitute  another  to 
the  westward.  It  has  cost  me  much  mental  affliction  to  brino- 
my  mind  to  a  decision,  whether  it  were  my  duty  to  go  with 
them  or  not.  It  is  at  length  decided  ;  and  my  judgment, 
after  much  meditation  and  desire  for  divine  direction,  is, 
that  the  advancement  of  the  Baptist  interest,  (which  I  view 
the  interest  of  a  precious  Saviour,)  promises  to  result  from 
the  measure. 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  O  II  T  O  N.  69 

"  Should  any  of  you,  my  dear  brethren  and  sisters,  differ 
from  me  in  sentiments,  I  cannot  censure  you  for  the  main- 
tenance of  views,  which  are,  in  your  judgment,  correct. 
Let  me  hope  that  you  will  afford  me  the  like  indulgence, 
and  that  with  severity  you  will  judge  nothing  before  the 
time.  The  church  in  Second-street  will  prosper,  though  I 
am  about  to  resign  my  pastorship.  I  shall  still  be  ready  to 
every  service  of  love  to  which  it  can  with  propriety  call  me. 
My  prayers  never  shall  cease  to  ascend,  that  peace  may  be 
within  her  walls,  and  plenteousness  within  her  places. 
Children  of  God  are  there — it  cannot  be  destroyed,  for 
there  is  a  blessing  in  it. 

"  Let  no  misrepresentations,  I  solemnly  beseech  you,  my 
dear  friends,  lead  you  to  conceive  that  the  path  I  contem- 
plate treading  is  the  work  of  a  spirit  of  party.  You  are 
my  vvfitnesses  with  what  care  I  have  ever  labored  to  avoid 
the  least  intermixture  with  parties.  If  at  any  time  such  a 
spirit  has  appeared,  I  trust  you  will  not  think  I  have  at  all 
deserted  the  principles  by  which  the  ministers  of  the  sanc- 
tuary ought  to  be  governed.  I  am  deceived  if  the  main- 
spring of  my  conduct  is  not  the  glory  of  Christ  Jesus.  Yet 
should  I  have  taken  into  the  calculation  a  hope  that  my 
persona]  happiness  may,  by  the  measure,  be  augmented,  I 
am  conscious  your  indulgence  and  affection  will  forgive  it. 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  brethren  and  sisters,  your  affec- 
tionate fellow-servant  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus. 
WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

A  friend  of  his,  a  short  time  before  his  resignation  of  the 
first  church,  marked  his  grief.  He  writes,  "  I  thought  I 
could  perceive  grief  preying  on  your  spirits,  when  you  were 
in  Newark,  though  you  were  silent  as  to  the  cause."  This 
was  perfectly  characteristic.  I  have  known  him  bowed 
down  with  sorrow,  and  his  heart  almost  sinkinsx  under  its 


70  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

weight,  when,  not  even  to  his  own  family,  would  he  com- 
municate it,  lest  it  should  have  an  unhappy  influence  upon 
their  feelings. 

For  the  resignation  of  his  pastorship  in  the  first  church, 
he  has  been  the  subject  of  much  impassioned  censure, 
But  the  time  has  arrived  when  men  can  sit  down,  and 
coolly  reflect  upon  these  departed  days.  To  his  memory 
they  will  award  the  righteous  decision,  and  cherish  the 
belief  that  his  motives,  in  this  act,  were  pure  and  evangel- 
ical, and  that  if  aught  can  be  laid  to  his  charge,  it  can  ex- 
tend no  further  than  to  error  in  judgment  concerning  the 
path  of  duty. 

The  spirit  which  breathes  in  his  last  address  to  that 
body,  when  he  resigned  his  office,  demands  for  it  a  promi- 
nent place  in  the  history  of  his  life. 

"  My  brethren  and  sisters,  here  assembled  : 

"I  have  often  arisen  to  address  you,  but  never  with  the 
feelings  wliich,  this  evening,  possess  my  whole  heart. 
It  is  possible,  too,  that  the  emotions  of  which  you  are 
the  subjects  are  as  unusual  and  as  anxious  as  my  own. 
Six  years  are  now  on  the  eve  of  expiring,  since  first  from 
a  neighboring  and  affectionate  church  you  invited  me  to 
serve  you.  With  your  invitation  I  complied,  not  with  the 
musive  hope  that  my  path  would  be  destitute  of  the  per- 
plexing thorn  and  the  adverse  blast,  but  upon  a  serious 
conviction  that  the  providence  of  God  harmonized  with 
your  request.  With  Paul  suffer  me  to  declare,  that  I  have 
been  with  you  in  weakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in  much 
trembling  ;  yet,  with  the  same  apostle,  I  have  aspired  at  the 
rejoicing,  the  testimony  of  conscience,  that  in  simplicity 
and  godly  sincerity,  not  with  fleshly  wisdom,  but  by  the 
grace  of  God,  I  might  maintain   my  conversation   in  the 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  11  T  O  N.  7 1 

world,  and  more  abundantly  to  you-ward.  What  energy 
soever  of  body  or  of  mind  I  could  command,  I  have  thrown 
into  your  service.  Let  the  church  in  Second-street  prosper, 
has  been  the  importunate  prayer  of  my  heart,  and  the  con- 
stant motive  of  my  aims. 

*•  It  is  our  mercy,  my  brethren,  that  the  Lord  has  sent 
us  prosperity.  Two  churches  have  lately  been  formed 
from  our  body,  and  when  the  brethren  and  sisters  are  dis- 
missed, who,  at  our  last  meeting,  solicited  a  letter,  consti- 
tuting a  third,  will  have  left  you,  more  than  double  the 
number  the  church  has  ever  contained,  from  the  date  of 
its  constitution  to  the  commencement  of  our  last  revival, 
will  remain.  During  my  continuance,  nearly  three  hun- 
dred have  been  added  by  baptism,  and  more  than  one  hun- 
dred by  letter,  while  the  whole  sum  of  our  exclusions  has 
amounted  to  only  fifteen.  The  house  in  which  we  are 
now  assembled  has  been  greatly  enlarged;  it  is  elegant  and 
commodious,  and  the  debt  incurred  by  the  enlargement 
approaches  its  extinction.  I  need  not,  my  brethren,  ex- 
hort you  to  ascribe  the  honor  to  the  Son  of  God  alone  :  you 
know  the  source  of  every  blessing  which  a  church  can 
enjoy,  and  that  neither  is  he  that  planteth  any  thing,  neither 
he  that  watereth. 

"I  had  hoped  that  the  relation  of  pastor  and  flock, 
which  has  existed  between  us,  would  have  continued  till 
death  dissolved  it.  I  had  reason  for  believing  that  the 
great  body  of  the  church  were  alfectionately  attached  to 
my  person  and  ministry,  and  I  have  that  reason  still.  The 
cordial  love  I  have  witnessed,  my  heart  has  been  prepared, 
with  all  its  powers,  to  reciprocate.  I  have  not  receiv'ed  a 
kindness  from  any  of  yoti,  whelher  it  is  indicated  in  words 
or  actions,  which  my  memory  does  not  delight  to  cherish, 
and  which  my  gratitude  has  not  panted  to  repay.  Where 
remuneration  is  not  in  my  power,  I  will  employ  incapacity 


72  31  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

as  a  stimulus  to  devotion,  and  pray  that  my  God  may  sup- 
ply your  need,  according  to  his  riches  in  glory  by  Jesus 
Christ.  With  us,  the  union  of  the  church  and  its  minister 
is  a  voluntary  one,  imposed  by  no  pontific  authority.  It 
originates  in  mutual  choice,  and  concludes  (when  con- 
tinued not  until  death)  by  the  intimated  desires  of  both  or 
either  of  the  parties.  Were  T  merely  to  inform  my  breth- 
ren that  reasons  exist  which  lead  me  to  solicit  the  termi- 
nation of  that  union,  some  might  coldly  say,  '  It  is  enough,' 
and  present  me  with  my  dismission  ;  but  respectful  love, 
ever  girded  for  service,  ever  ready  to  explain,  ever  anxious 
to  conciliate,  cannot  be  withheld  from  uttering  something 
more.  I  had  often  heard  it  said,  that  the  Baptist  church 
in  Second-street  was  in  the  habit  of  distressing  its  minister. 
I  have  received  such  report  with  unwillingness.  I  have 
wished  to  regard  it  as  the  ungenerous  effusion  of  calumny. 
Could  I  have  supposed  the  representation  true,  I  had 
reason  to  hope  that  providence  might,  on  repentance, 
withdraw  the  feeble  arm  that  would  annoy  a  prophet  at  his 
altar.  Besides,  the  large  accession  of  converts  to  a  church 
of  Jesus  frequently  exterminates  the  wrong  habits  which, 
in  a  time  of  spiritual  declension  and  darkness,  are  formed. 
To  endeavor,  by  Christian  forbearance  and  love,  if  possi- 
ble, to  exemplify  duty,  or,  if  this  were  too  great,  to  allure 
to  its  discharge,  I  determined,  amid  the  labors  of  my  office, 
to  forget  the  want  of  a  spirit  of  sympathy  and  co-operation, 
should  it  appear  in  brethren,  on  whoso  conduct  a  minister's 
comfort  and  usefulness  in  the  Gospel  ministry  greatly  de- 
pends. The  advancement  of  Christ's  kingdom  was  para- 
mount to  every  other  consideration.  I  dare  not  say  how 
far  I  have  acted  under  the  spirit  of  these  resolves,  but  it  is 
certain  that,  for  some  time  past,  my  mind  has  not  felt  itself 
at  home  or  hoppy.  I  have  seemed  to  myself  as  an  eagle, 
whose  nest  was  stirred  up,   but  which  knew  not  how  or 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  X.  73 

whither  to  fly.  I  ofler  not  these  observations  to  you,  my 
brethren,  in  the  tone  of  censure.  I  accuse  no  one  ;  my 
simple  aim  is  to  satisfy  you  why  I  withdraw  myself.  I 
cannot  express  my  ideas  on  this  point  better  than  in  the 
words  of  Dr.  Fuller,  in  his  expository  discourses  :  '  Many 
may  be  good  neighbors,  who  could  not  live  happy  in  the 
same  family.  Abraham  and  Lot  could  love  and  pray  for 
one  another,  when  there  was  nothing  to  ruffle  their  feel- 
ings. Paul  and  Barnabas  could  both  serve  the  cause  of 
Christ,  though  unhappily,  through  a  third  person,  they 
could  not  act  in  close  concert.  In  all  such  cases,  if  there 
be  only  an  upright,  pacific,  and  disinterested  disposition, 
things  will  be  so  adjusted  as  to  do  no  material  injury  to 
the  cause  of  Christ.  In  many  instances  it  may  serve  to 
promote  it.  In  a  v.ord,  where  there  is  plenty  of  work  to 
be  done,  if  those  who  cannot  continue  together  be  disposed 
to  improve  their  advantages,  the  issue  may  be  such  as  shall 
cause  the  parties  to  unite  in  a  song  of  praise.' 

"  The  intention  of  some  of  the  brethren,  originating  en- 
tirely with  themselves,  to  form  a  new  church  to  the  west- 
Avard,  is  known  to  you;  you  have  agreed  to  dismiss  them 
for  the  purpose.  The  prospect  of  success  in  that  part  of 
our  growing  city  is  certainly  considerable.  Provided 
zealous  and  harmonious  exertions  are  employed  in  depend- 
ence on  the  blessing  of  the  great  Redeemer,  much  may  be 
expected.  Philadelphia  is  stretching  itself  yearly  nearer 
to  the  Schuylkill ;  vigorous  exertions  are  not,  I  believe,  at 
the  present,  on  foot  for  the  erection  of  a  house  by  any  other 
Christian  society  ;  the  citizens,  I  persuade  myself,  are  will- 
ing to  contribute,  and,  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  to  beg  I  am 
not  ashamed.  I  am  sensible  that,  in  receding  from  the 
church,  I  leave  behind  me.  many,  very  many,  whom  I 
dearly  love,  many  who  are  not  only  my  brethren  and  sis- 
ters, but  my  children  also   in   the  Gospel  of  Jesus.     I  en- 


74  M  E  IM  O  I  R     O  F 

treat  you,  my  clear  friends,  to  bear  with  me,  if  the  ideas  I 
am  oftering  press  not  Avith  the  same  weight  on  your  minds 
which  I  feel  them  to  press  on  mine.  Perhaps  the  day  may 
not  be  distant  when  your  sentiments  will  accord  with  my 
own.  Our  judgments  are  rarely  correct,  when  formed 
under  the  sway  of  the  impassioned  emotions.  Let  me  en- 
treat you  to  allow  a  few  thoughts,  I  am  about  to  offer,  at 
least  a  little  importance.  Some  of  you,  my  brethren,  and, 
let  me  add,  my  sisters  too,  (for  the  visit  paid  me  by  a  band 
of  our  amiable  sisters,  to  solicit  my  stay  in  the  church,  I 
shall  remember,  ever  remember,  with  emotions  of  undis- 
sembled  gratitude;)  some  of  you,  under  the  influence  of  a 
tender  respect  for  my  comfort,  have  suggested  difficulties 
as  lying  in  my  path,  which  ought  to  be  regarded  as  real 
obstacles.  "  Report  will  say  the  7iew  church  is  an  English 
one."  Ah !  my  brethren,  what  a  pity,  what  shame,  what 
violation  of  Christian  principles,  that  national  discrimina- 
tion should  ever  be  introduced  into  a  church  of  Jesus ! 
For  myself,  I  never  regret  that  I  was  born  in  England.  Its 
national  policies,  in  many  respects,  I  disapprove ;  but  it  is 
a  land  where  genius  and  piety  have  long  been  eminent. 
It  is  the  land  of  my  fathers,  as  is  America  the  land  of  my 
children.  In  the  birth  of  a  human  being,  I  recognize  and 
revere  the  wisdom  and  power,  the  sovereignty  and  provi- 
dence of  God.  Parents,  native  place,  and  time,  all  were 
appointed  by  him.  Among  those  who  possess  like  pre- 
cious faith,  and  who  embrace  a  common  salvation,  dis- 
tinctions of  this  nature  my  soul  disclaims.  Should  they, 
at  any  time,  attempt  to  insinuate  themselves  into  the  an- 
ticipated church,  I  trust  I  should  be  among  the  first  to 
rebuke  and  destroy.  Yet,  should  report  persist  to  defame, 
I  will  only  subjoin,  that  if  souls  are  brought  home  to  Jesus  ; 
if  righteousness,  love  and  peace  prevail  among  the  people 
of  God,  the  unjust  reproach  of  a  name  will  not  weigh  a 
feather. 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  75 

"  Some  of  you  have  feared,  lest  my  resignation  might 
appear  like  a  rending  of  the  church.  I  appeal,  my  breth- 
ren, to  what  you  have  seen  in  me,  for  your  conviction, 
whether  a  rending  temper  and  habit  have  by  me  been 
practised.  My  mind  bears  to  peace  as  much  as  ever  ;  but 
your  number  is  so  large,  that  detachments  for  new  churches 
require  to  be  made  :  the  dismissal  of  one  or  two  hundred 
of  the  members  would  leave  you,  in  respect  of  numbers,  a 
great  church  still.  To  interpret  actions  in  the  best  light, 
is  a  task  which  genuine  charity  takes  pleasure  in  fulfilling. 
I  trust  this  amiable,  heaven-born  temper  you  will  never 
cease  to  cherish.  Could  I  persuade  myself  that  the  re- 
signation of  my  office  as  your  pastor  would  materially 
affect  the  prosperity  of  the  church,  I  should  discover  em- 
barrassment of  a  serious  cast ;  but,  after  much  close  thought 
on  the  subject,  I  cannot  conclude  such  will  be  the  case. 
This  building  stands  in  a  most  eligible  and  central  situa- 
tion. Many  are  attached  to  it,  because  it  has  been  their 
resort  from  infancy,  because  of  the  alliances  that  result 
from  consanguinity  and  friendship,  and  because  its  adjoin- 
ing tombs  enclose  the  ashes  of  their  dear  and  departed 
friends.  A  steady  congregation  is  in  the  habit  of  assem- 
bling here  :  you  are  rich  and  able  to  meet  the  expenses 
attending  on  a  regular  supply  of  the  pulpit,  to  call  in  the 
assistance  of  whatever  talents  you  may  approve,  and  to 
make  the  settlement  of  a  future  pastor  easy  to  himself  and 
to  you.  Aiming  zealously,  and  in  affectionate  union,  at 
the  honor  of  Christ,  you  have  reason  to  e.xpect  his  gracious 
smiles.  You  have  my  prayer  and  my  largest  wishes  for 
your  spiritual  increase ;  may  I  add,  you  may  command  my 
labors  too.  Delicacy  forbids  me  from  a  formal  offer  of 
service ;  my  sorrow  would  be  great  to  stand  at  all  in  the 
way  of  future  supplies,  or  of  a  future  pastor,  as  it  would  be 
to  see  your  pulpit  destitute,  or  not  filled  to  your  minds.     I 


76  IVI  E  M  0  I  R     O  F 

had  thought  of  mentioning  my  readiness  to  serve  you  twice 
on  a  Lord's  day,  for  two  or  three  months,  and  once  every 
Lord's  day,  for  six,  nine,  or  twelve  months,  with  the  whole 
or  part  of  the  Wednesday  evening  lectures ;  to  assist  the 
church  also  in  visiting  its  sick,  and  in  attending  funerals, 
during  its  pleasure,  with  a  view  of  exhibiting  how  much 
the  attachment  of  my  heart  to  your  interests  continues, 
as  well  as  for  the  purpose  of  showing  to  the  public,  that  the 
Baptist  society  is  one,  and,  though  its  pastor  or  churches 
may  vary  their  stations  and  labors,  their  aims  and  hearts 
are  united.  But,  as  I  have  hinted,  delicacy  forbids.  Yet 
I  offer  these  suggestions,  that  the  church  may  learn  my 
views  and  disposition. 

"  The  relation  in  which  I  have  been  standing  to  you, 
my  beloved  brethren,  has  been  a  most  important  one.  To 
that  awful  tribunal  I  know  I  am  hastening,  where  I  must 
give  an  account  of  my  ministry.  It  has  been  my  desire  to 
be  pure  from  the  blood  of  all.  I  have  not  shunned  to  de- 
clare unto  you  all  the  counsel  of  God.  The  secrets  of 
each  of  our  hearts  will  soon  be  revealed,,  the  fountains  of 
our  motives  will  all  be  broken  up,  and  then  only  truth  will 
abide  the  awful  test.  I  charge  you,  my  beloved  brethren, 
with  the  feelings  not  only  of  a  retiring  pastor,  but  of  a 
dying  man — be  at  peace  among  yourselves  ;  value  spiritu- 
ality wherever  you  see  it ;  let  the  aged  perform  the  part  and 
receive  the  honor  of  fathers,  and  the  young  nien  be  esteem- 
ed, as  trained  for  usefulness  among  you,  as  brethren. 
Regulate  your  temper  at  your  meetings  by  the  example  of 
Jesus,  and  let  your  eye  be  single.  Bear  with  the  frailties 
of  each  other  ;  never  let  the  foot  of  indignation  crush  what 
the  hand  of  tenderness  should  prop  and  sustain.  Shine, 
my  dear  brethren,  not  in  the  armor  of  resentment  and 
worldly  policy,  but  in  the  robe  of  humility  and  love.  When 
the  Head  of  the  Church  sends  you  another  under-shep- 


D  R.     S  T  A  U  r.  U  T  O  N.  77 

herd,  stand  by  liiiii,  let  the  ofiicers  of  the  church  be  his 
bosom  associates,  pity  his  mistakes,  never  break  his  heart 
by  cold  neglect  or  unkind  misrepresentations,  and  dare  to 
testify  your  displeasure  with  such  as  would  attempt  it.  Ad- 
minister to  his  necessities  with  delicacy  and  readiness, 
and,  oh!  lift  up  his  arms  by  your  wrestling  supplication. 
I  beseech  you,  my  brethren,  to  follow  peace  with  all  men, 
and  holiness,  without  which  no  man  can  see  the  Lord. 
Look  diligently,  I  beseech  you,  lest  any  man  fail  of  the 
grace  of  God.  Contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints ;  and  let  the  righteousness,  the  blood,  the  spirit  of 
Jesus,  be  your  hope  and  your  glory.  And  now,  my  bretli- 
ren,  in  the  sight  of  God  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
shall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead,  at  his  appearing  and 
kingdom,  in  the  spirit  of  love,  after  much  desire  for  divine 
guidance,  and  in  earnest  hope  that  God  may  overrule  the 
step  for  the  good  of  the  churches,  and  the  honor  of  his 
blessed  name,  I  solemnly  lay  down  my  office  as  your  pastor, 
and  ask  a  letter  of  dismission,  that  I  may  unite  with  the 
church  which  is  on  the  point  of  being  formed."' 


78  -  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Constitution  of  Sansom-strcet  cliurch — correspondence  that  led  to 
his  connexion  with  them — exercises  of  his  mind — invitation  to 
the  pastorsliip  and  acceptance — subsequent  success — character  as 
a  pastor — character  of  his  preaching — diUgence  in  discharge  of 
his  duties. 

The  Sansom-street  church  of  Philadelphia  was  consti- 
tuted in  January,  1811,  with  ninety-one  members.  Previ- 
ously to  this  event,  several  meetings  had  been  held  for 
consultation  and  prayer.  At  a  meeting  convened  on  the 
25th  of  December,  1810,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
present  to  Dr.  Staughton  a  letter,  adopted  by  the  brethren, 
requesting  him  to  ca.st  in  his  lot  among  them.  Two  days 
after  the  reception  of  this  letter,  he  returned  the  following 
reply  : 

"  To  the  brethren   and   sisters,   who   request  me  to  unite 
with  them  for  the  formation  of  a  new  church,  from  the 
First  Baptist  Church  in  Second-street,  Philadelphia : 
"  My  dear  friends, 

"  I  receive  your  invitation  with  gratitude,  and  feel  a  due 
sense  of  the  brotherly  kindness  which  has  led  you  to  make 
the  request.  My  mind  has,  on  the  subject,  been  greatly 
exercised,  and,  I  had  hoped,  would  have  been  brought  to 
some  decision  by  the  present  evening  ;  but  from  the  new 
and  various  ideas  that  have  presented  themselves,  from  the 
importance  and  solemnity  of  the  step,  from  a  sincere  de- 
sire to  see  distinctly  the  way  of  the  Lord  open  before  me, 
previous  to  any  resolute  course  of  action,  and  from  the 
short  time  afforded  me  to  meditate  and  mark  the  provi- 


DR.      S  T  A  I'  G  II  T  O  X.  79 

deuces  of  God,  I  am  not  able  to  give  your  committee  an 
immediate  answer.     You   have,  however,  my  best  wishes 
and  fervent  prayers  for  your  prosperity  in  the  Lord. 
"  I  am,  affectionately,  yours, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON. 
December  27,  1810." 

On  the  evening  of  December  31st,  1810,  he  came  to  the 
decision  to  unite  with  these  brethren.  On  this  occasion, 
the  exercises  of  his  mind  are  thus  expressed  : 

"  Resolved,  solemnly,  as  a  dying  man,  in  thy  name  and 
fear,  O  my  God,  after  a  serious,  repeated,  humble  consid- 
eration of  the  subject,  in  all  the  bearings  in  which  a  poor, 
frail  creature  can  contemplate  it,  and  with  an  earnest  de- 
sire for  thy  direction — resolved,  that,  as  the  clearest  result 
of  my  deliberate  judgment,  it  is  my  duty,  and  will  conduce 
to  thy  glory,  that  I  unite  myself  with  the  Fourth  Baptist 
Church  in  Philadelphia,  about  to  be  formed. 

"  My  Father  !  my  Saviour  !  my  God  !    thou  knowest  the 

heart,  that  in  thy  fear,  and  with  much  trembling,  forms  this 

resolution.     I  beseech  thee,  shew  me  thy  glory !    bless  my 

attempts  to  speak  in  thy   name !    bless  the  dear  church  I 

leave — bless  the  dear  church  to  which  I  am  about  to  unite 

myself     Prepare  me  for  every  trial  that  this  resolve,  made 

in  thy  fear,  may  produce.     And  O,  may  thy  glorious  cause 

spread  through  the  city.     Let  another  church  not  only  rise, 

but  flourish.     O,  fill  this  city,  fill  the  earth  with  thy  glory! 

Amen,  amen. 

WM.  STAUGHTON." 

The  brethren  about  to  form  the  new  church  were  dis- 
missed with  great  cordiality  by  the  first  church.  In  their 
letter  of  dismission,  they  say  :  "  We  wish  you  God  speed, 
in  the  name  of  the  great  Redeemer." 


80  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

The  church  was  regularly  constituted  on  the  24th  of 
January,  1811.  At  a  subsequent  meeting,  on  the  fourth 
of  February,  they  proceeded  to  elect  Dr.  Staughton  their 
pastor,  and  to  prepare  a  letter  of  invitation.  A  large  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  wait  upon  him  and  present  the 
communication.     The  letter,  with  its  reply,  is  subjoined  : 

''February  ifh,  1811. 
"  The  newly  constituted  church  of  Christ  Jesus,    in  Phil- 
adelphia,  present   to   their   beloved   brother,    the    Rev. 
William  Staughton,  D.  D.  love  in  the  Lord  Jesus. 

"  Dear  Brother, 

"  You  are  well  acquainted  with  the  circumstances  which 
have  given  rise  to  us  as  a  body,  and  have  gratified  our  sin- 
cerest  and  ardent  desires,  by  becoming  constituted  with 
us.  It  is  our  ardent  wish,  as  a  church  of  Christ,  and  we 
do  hereby  present  the  call,  that  you  accept  immediately 
the  pastorship  over  us.  We  can  say,  with  truth,  and  thank- 
fulness to  the  Supreme  Head  of  the  church,  that  we  have 
found  your  ministerial  services  blessed  to  our  souls,  while 
you  and  we  stood  connected  in  the  first  Baptist  church  in 
our  city ;  and  we  hope  we  may  find  them  to  increase,  in 
producing  pleasure  and  profit.  We  are  sensible,  beloved 
brother,  that  the  afllictions  and  trials  of  a  Gospel  minister 
and  faithful  pastor  are  very  great ;  but  we  know  that  He 
who  has  supported  you  hitherto,  will  continue  to  do  so  unto 
the  end.  Our  prayers  shall  never  cease  for  your  spiritual 
welfare,  and  we  trust  we  shall  never  be  found  wanting  in 
those  expressions  of  brotherly  kindness  and  respectful  at- 
tention to  your  comfort  and  peace,  which  we  know  it  is 
the  duty  of  a  church  towards  its  pastor  ever  to  discover. 

"  In  casting  in  your  lot  with  us,  you  have  had,  dear 
brother,  your  sacrifices  to  make ;  but  if  the  friendship  of 
some  may  have  become  cool,  we  hope  ours  towards  you 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  Gir  T  O  N.  81 

will  be  foiiml  proportionably  stronger.  You  have  volunta- 
rily given  up  a  certain  salary,  a  comfortable  house  of  wor- 
ship, and  a  high  degree  of  reputation  in  your  late  con- 
nexion ;  but  we  believe  the  end  will  prove  that  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  honor  of  Christ  Jesus  was  among  the 
first  aims  of  your  heart. 

"  As  to  a  salary,  we  are  sensible,  dear  brother,  that 
Christ  has  ordained  that  they  who  preach  the  Gospel  should 
live  of  the  Gospel,  and  that  they  who  serve  at  the  altar 
should  eat  of  the  altar,  that  the  ox  which  treadeth  out  the 
corn  is  not  to  be  muzzled,  and  that  they  who  sow  spiritual, 
ought  at  least  to  reap  carnal  things ;  but  we  have  not,  as 
yet,  been  able  to  say  what  we  shall  be  able  to  succeed  in 
supplying  you.  We  are,  however,  so  confident  of  public 
and  growing  support,  and  so  resolved  on  your  comfort,  that 
we  pledge  ourselves  you  shall  prove  no  sufferer.  Our 
arrangements  for  supplying  your  wants  shall  be  made  as 
early  and  as  agreeable  to  your  feelings  as  possible.  When 
we  have  become  more  established  and  increased,  you  will 
not  want  proofs  that  your  accommodation  will  increase 
with  our  ability.  We  are  hoping  that  the  Lord  is  about  to 
make  you  again  an  honored  instrument  of  raising  another 
house  to  his  glory.  We  engage  in  the  Lord  Jesus  with 
cheerfulness  to  become  fellow-workers  with  you,  and  have 
no  doubt  but  that  your  praise  in  the  churches,  already 
great,  will  be  increased,  rather  than  diminished,  by  the 
steps  you  have  taken. 

"  Accept,  beloved  brother,  our  cordial  wishes,  and   may 
the  Lord  hear  our  fervent  prayers  that  every  blessing  may 
attend  you  and  yours,  through  time  and  eternity. 
"Signed  in  behalf  of  the  church, 

W.  H.  RICHARDS,  Chrk." 

8* 


82  BI  E  JI  O  I  R     O  F 


THE    REPLY. 


"  To  the  Baptist  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  lately  instituted 
in  Philadelphia : 

"  Dearly  beloved  brethren, 

"  I  have  received,  with  a  grateful  sense  of  your  kind- 
ness and  affection,  the  call  which  you  sent  me  by  a  com- 
mittee of  the  brethren,  to  take  the  pastoral  charge  over 
you  in  the  Lord. 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  sentiments  it  expresses,  and  while 
I  beseech  you  to  give  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  all 
the  glory  in  every  case  in  which  you  may  have  found  my 
very  imperfect  labors  conducive  to  your  spiritual  edifica- 
tion, I  trust  it  will  be  my  endeavor  to  speak  to  you  none 
other  Gospel  than  that  which  you  have  received,  and  to 
show  that  your  prosperity  is  one  of  the  first  wishes  of  my 
heart. 

"  I  have  embarked  with  you,  dear  brethren,  as  a  fellow- 
member,  hoping  that  our  little  one  may  become  a  thousand, 
and,  in  compliance  with  your  request,  accept  the  office  of 
pastorship  over  you  in  the  Lord. 

"  As  mutual  candor  and  foir  understanding  among  Chris- 
tian brethren  is  the  most  likely  path  to  the  preservation  of 
mutual  love,  I  feel  it  my  duty,  on  this  occasion,  to  state  to 
the  church  a  few  additional  ideas. 

"  1.  Finding  that  my  health  is  so  imperfect,  that  regu- 
larly to  preach  tnree  times  on  a  Lord's  day  is  not  within 
the  bounds  of  my  strength,  should  I,  at  any  time,  fail  in 
this  course,  certainly  of  laborious  service,  and  reduce  the 
times  of  preaching  to  twice  each  Sabbath,  I  expect  that 
the  church  will  not  consider  me  as  deficient  in  pastoral 
duties.  To  preach,  to  the  utmost  of  my  abilities,  a  cruci- 
fied Saviour,  is,  and  I  trust  to  my  last  breath  will  be,  my 
glory  and  joy ;  but  the  flesh  is  not  always  strong  when  the 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  83 

spirit  is  willing.  On  this  head  I  cannot  help  expressing 
the  jileA.'^ure  I  feel  in  the  idea  that  your  number  contains 
two  amiable  and  beloved  fellow-laborers  in  the  Gospel, 
whose  zeal  and  talents  are  alive  and  acceptable,  and  who 
will  prove,  I  am  confident,  helpers  of  my  labors  and  of 
my  joy. 

"2.  Health  may  sometimes  require,  and  when  that  is 
not  defective,  good  fellowship  with  distant  churches,  and 
the  extent  of  a  minister's  usefulness,  make  it  desirable  that 
he  take,  occasionally,  a  tour  from  the  circle  of  his  immedi- 
ate charge,  and  publish  Christ  in  other  places  also.  Should 
I,  my  dear  brethren,  find  it  at  any  time  likely  to  be  profit- 
able that  I  pay  a  distant  visit  for  a  few  days,  or  a  few 
weeks,  provided  I  procure  suitable  supplies  during  my  ab- 
sence, it  is  my  desire  that  such  occasional  absence  should 
never  be  interpreted  into  a  ground  of  complaint. 

"  3.  I  have  been,  for  nearly  twenty  years,  more  or  less 
engaged  in  training  the  youthful  mind  for  knowledge  and 
virtue.  I  feel  the  task  a  pleasure  and  a  duty.  Should  I 
appropriate  a  part  of  my  time  to  its  discharge,  while  I  shall 
ever  consider  the  service  as  subordinate  to  the  great  duties 
of  the  pastoral  office,  I  wish  the  church  to  consider  it  only 
another  form  in  which  I  am  also  desiring  to  serve  the  Lord 
and  my  generation. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  brethren,  while  I  solemnly  accept 
the  rffice  of  your  pastor,  and  while  I  believe  that  in  the 
brethren  yoa  have  elected  for  your  deacons,  I  shall  find 
sympathizing  friends  and  mutual  counsellors  for  our  com- 
mon good,  I  beg  an  interest  in  your  fervent  prayers,  that 
the  Lord  may  assist  me  to  glorify  his  blessed  name  among 
you,  and  that  you  may  be  built  and  multiplied  greatly. 
And  O,  may  we  at  last  be  found  members  of  the  church 
triumphant,  where  the  office  of  pastor  and  the  existence  of 


84  M  E  ai  O  I  R     O  F 

individual  churches  shall  be  lost  in  the  fulness  of  Him  that 
filleth  all  in  all. 

"  I  am  your  affectionate  brother, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

After  he  became  their  pastor,  the  church  worshipped, 
for  some  time,  in  the  court-house  on  Chestnut-street,  and 
afterwards  in  the  academy  on  Fourth-street,  where  they 
Continued  until  their  removal  to  the  new  edifice. 

Very  shortly  after  the  organization  of  the  church,  a  lot 
was  procured  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  thereon  a  place 
of  worship,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  obtain  subscrip- 
tions for  this  object.  A  circular  building  was  erected, 
ninety  feet  in  diameter,  which,  with  the  lot,  cost  the  sum 
of  $40,000.  Large  as  this  amount  was,  the  probability 
is,  that  it  would  have  been  obtained,  had  not  adverse  cir- 
cumstances occurred,  producing  great  commercial  dis- 
tress. The  annual  revenue,  arising  from  pew  rents  and 
collections,  amounted  at  first  to  between  four  and  five 
thousand  dollars.  The  seats  of  this  immense  building, 
during  the  whole  period  of  his  ministrations,  were  well 
filled ;  but,  on  the  Lord's  day  evening,  the  place  was 
crowded  with  solemn  and  admiring  spectators.  His  pop- 
ularity was  unimpaired  by  time,  and  those  who  heard  him 
once  desired  to  hear  him  again.  With  this  church  he 
spent  the  happiest  and  most  useful  days  of  his  life.  The 
additions  were  numerous  and  respectable.  For  several 
years,  it  appeared  one  continued  season  of  revival.  To 
the  people  of  his  charge  be  was  a  faithful  and  affectionate 
pastor.  He  entered  into  their  joys  and  sorrows,  and  offer- 
ed, in  the  spirit  of  a  patriarch,  his  soothing  counsel.  Never 
could  a  pastor  be  more  beloved  by  a  people.  When  he 
had  for  a  few  weeks  been  absent,  at  the  first  evening  lec- 
ture after  his  return,  he  would,  as  a  father  to  his  children, 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  U  T  O  N.  85 

give  them  an  account  of  his  journey,  his  Christian  inter- 
views, and  the  state  of  religion  generally  in  the  places  he 
visited,  accompanied  with  such  reflections  as  would  tend 
to  encourage  and  animate  them  in  their  heaven-ward 
course.  In  the  chamber  of  sickness  his  facility  of  impart- 
ing consolation  was  remarkable  and  effective.  On  one  oc- 
casion he  visited  a  young  lady,  a  member  of  his  church, 
whose  frame  was  rapidly  sinking  under  a  pulmonary  at- 
tack. He  entered  the  room  immediately  after  she  had 
been  taken  from  a  bath.  Ilei  strength  was  so  far  dimin- 
ished, that  she  scarcely  appeared  to  be  conscious  of  what 
was  passing  around  her.  The  sound  of  his  voice  seemed 
to  rouse  her  to  life.  lie  said  to  her,  "  My  dear  child,  how 
do  you  feel  to  day  ? "  She  replied,  "  Very  weak.  Doctor." 
He  immediately  repeated  the  lines, 

"  When  I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong, 
Grace  is  my  sliield,  and  Christ  my  song." 

Had  an  angel  from  heaven  appeared  to  strengthen  her,  she 
could  not  have  been  more  suddenly  revived.  She  became 
animated,  and  conversed  freely  upon  the  goodness  and  the 
grace  of  her  Saviour. 

When  this  amiable  young  lady  was  nearly  gone,  at  the 
sound  of  his  voice,  she  again  roused  and  recognized  her 
beloved  pastor.  He  asked  her  what  the  state  of  her  mind 
was.  She  replied,  in  a  faint  voice,  "  '  Tis  a  point  I  long 
to  know."  Then,  said  he,  "If  it  is  a  point  you  long  to 
know,  it  is  a  point  already  settled,"  and  immediately  added 
those  beautiful  and  animating  lines, 

'•  The  sou]  that  on  Jesus  hath  leaned  for  repose, 
I  will  not,  I  will  not  desert  to  his  foes ; 
That  soul,  though  all  hell  should  endeavor  to  skake, 
I'll  never,  no,  never,  no,  never  forsake." 

During  her  sickness,  he  proposed  to  her  the   questions, 


86  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

"  Can  you  leave  your  husband?  Can  you  leave  your  child, 
that  child?  (pointing  to  the  infant.)  Can  you  leave  your 
sisters,  your  parents?"  She  answered,  "Yes,  Doctor,  all, 
all."     "  Then,"  he  replied,  ''All  is  well." 

Those  to  Avhose  families  he  was  called,  in  the  hour  of 
disease  and  death,  have  a  testimony,  in  their  own  recol- 
lections, to  the  influence  of  his  consolations.  "When  the 
ear  heard  him,  it  blessed  him."  He  was  favored,  as  an  in- 
strument of  God,  to  pour  the  oil  of  joy  into  the  mourning 
breast,  and  to  clothe,  with  the  garment  of  praise,  the  spirit 
of  heaviness. 

He  was  equally  successful  in  his  encouragements  to 
those  who  were  distressed  on  account  of  their  sins.  Every 
Saturday  evening  he  appropriated  to  conversation  with 
persons  of  this  description.  It  was  his  joy  to  point  the 
trembling  sinner  to  Christ.  He  used  to  say  his  Saturday 
evening  engagements  were  a  sweet  prelude  to  the  Sabbath. 

A  single  example,  which  was  related  to  me  by  a  lady, 
who  is  now  a  member  of  the  church  where  his  principal 
labors  were  expended,  will  illustrate  this  remark.  He  had 
been  stating  a  number  of  encouraging  considerations  to 
her  mind,  which  seemed  to  produce  but  little  effect.  They 
were  all  adapted  to  the  case  of  inquiring  sinners,  but  she 
felt  as  if  she  had  no  part  or  lot  in  the  matter.  At  length 
she  said,  "  Ah  !  Sir,  mine  is  a  peculiar  case."  His  reply 
gave  instant  relief  to  her  mind  :  "And  Christ  is  ci  peculiar 
Saviour : 

'  He  will  bestow  on  Jacob's  race 
Peculiar  grace  and  glory  too.'  " 

To  enumerate  all  the  instances  of  this  character  vvould  be 
to  swell  this  memoir  to  an  unwieldly  size. 

Nor  was  he  less  distinguished  for  his  addresses  at  the 
grave.     It  was  astonishing  with  what  facility  he  would  lay 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  S7 

hold  of  a  striUing  thought,  tliat  lew  minds  could  ever  have 
conceived,  yet  the  richness  and  sweetness  of  which  every 
grade  of  intellect  could  realize.  This  was  peculiarly  illus- 
trated in  the  manner  with  which  he  would  exhibit  the  en- 
tire character  of  the  deceased  by  a  single  sentence.  Upon 
the  death  of  a  young  lady,  who  was  remarkable  for  the 
sweetness  of  her  temper  and  the  activity  of  her  mental  and 
physical  powers,  he  summed  up  her  character  in  the  ex- 
pression, "Active  as  the  roc  vpon  the  mountains,  and  amia- 
ble as  active." 

On  another  occasion,  he  observed,  "  If  sincere  love  for 
God  manifested  in  her  daily  walk — if  attachment  to  the 
liou.se  of  God,  and  a  deep  interest  in  the  purity  and  happi- 
ness of  his  children,  and  a  zeal  sometimes  almo.st  surpass- 
ing her  natural  strength,  are  the  characteristics  of  a  true 
saint,  the  relics  of  a  saint  are  lying  before  you."  A  youth 
in  Philadelpliia  was  suddenly  deprived  of  life  by  the  firing 
of  a  gun.  The  Doctor  was  called  to  attend  his  remains 
to  the  tomb,  and  to  soothe  the  broken-hearted  parents. 
Speaking  at  the  grave  of  the  superintending  providence  of 
God  in  all  the  affairs  of  men,  he  suddenly  paused ;  then 
elevating  his  hand,  and  in  that  peculiar  manner  which 
thousands  have  admired  and  felt,  but  which  none  have 
dared  to  imitate,  he  exclaimed,  "Accident!  accident!  ac- 
cident! in  all  the  creation  of  God  there  is  no  such  thing 
as  accident."  The  thrilling  effect  which  this  sentence 
produced  is  still  remembered  by  many  who  heard  it. 

He  was  in  the  habit  of  improving  every  occasion  on 
which  a  member  of  the  church  decea.sed,  by  a  .sermon  on 
tlie  following  Lord's  day  evening.  His  selection  of  texts 
was  peculiarly  appropriate.  One  of  his  friends  was  de- 
prived of  two  children  in  the  course  of  a  single  month. 
His  text  was,  "  If  I  am  berea\ed  of  my  children,  I  am  be- 
reaved."    He  composed   for  the  occasion  a  hymn,  which 


88  MEHIOIROF 

is  distinguished  by  the  beauty  of  the  poetry,  as  much  as 
by  the  strain  of  piety  which  it  breathes.  It  is  styled  "A 
Hymn  on  the  death  of  Miss  Jane  Moulder." 

"  1.  How  swells  with  joy  the  parent's  breast, 
His  children  round  him  fondly  pressed  ! 
Fair  olive  boughs,  a  heritage. 
To  crown  and  comfort  sinking  age. 

2.  But  soon,  alas  !  his  transports  fly, 
The  beauteous  olives  droop  and  die  : 
His  cries  proclaim  a  bosom  grieved, 
'  Bereft  of  these,  I  am  bereaved.' 

3.  Yet  where  has  every  pleasure  fled  ? 
Nothing  but  dying  plants  are  dead  ; 
Dead  on  the  earth,  but  doomed  to  rise 
In  kinder  soils  and  calmer  skies. 

4.  The  glorious  liusbandnian  comes  down, 
Claims  the  young  olives  as  his  own, 
And  while  our  garden  he  bereaves, 
Himself  a  thousand  blessings  leaves. 

5.  Soon  will  the  hour  of  grief  be  past, 
The  with'ring  leaf,  the  roaring  blast — 
Bear  fruit  to  God,  and,  shortly,  you 
Shall  share  the  transplantation  too." 

At  the  water,  when  candidates  were  about  to  be  im- 
mersed, he  was  truly  eloquent,  and  often,  by  a  single  ex- 
pression, in  connexion  with  the  appropriate  action,  gave  to 
a  passage  of  Scripture  an  illustration  bright  as  the  sun  at 
noon-day.  On  one  of  these  interesting  seasons,  he  spoke 
of  baptism  as  an  emblem  of  death,  burial  and  resurrection. 
Stretching  forth  his  hand  to  one  of  the  candidates,  he  said, 
"  I  now  introduce  to  you  a  dead  person.'^  After  a  mo- 
ment's pause,  with  solemn  emphasis,  he  added,  "Dead — 


D  R.    S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  89 

about  to  be  buried — to  rise  again  and  walk  in  newness  of 
life." 

Some  of  his  most  splendid  mental  efforts  were  originated 
at  the  moment,  and  particularly  when  he  administered  to 
a  large  and  solemn  assembly  the  supper  of  the  Lord.  With 
what  variety,  with  what  charming  effect  he  presented  to 
view  the  suffering  Son  of  God,  and  threw  open,  as  it  were, 
the  everlasting  gates  to  the  vision  of  his  weeping,  rejoicino- 
flock  !  But  description  is  vain.  We  recollect  these  sea- 
sons with  gratitude  to  God  ;  our  minds  labor  to  communi- 
cate the  feelings  which  then  possessed  our  bosoms,  but  the 
swelling  tide  of  emotions  overpowers  the  gift  of  utterance, 
and  silence  becomes  our  highest  praise. 

As  a  preacher  of  the  everlasting  Gospel,  he  had  no 
superior.  The  subjects  which  he  selected,  in  his  public 
ministrations,  exhibited  the  evangelic  current  of  his  thoughts 
and  feelings.  With  the  Apostle  Paul,  he  might  truly  say, 
"  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  Jesus 
Christ."  Rich,  holy,  evangelical  feeling  mingled  with 
every  discourse.  The  atonement  of  Christ,  the  depravity 
of  man,  the  necessity  of  divine  influence,  the  glories  of  the 
Mediator,  all  held  a  prominent  place  in  his  pulpit  e.xercises. 
The  cross,  as  the  only  hope  of  a  dying  world,  stood  out 
foremost  in  every  exhibition. 

He  never  suffered  trifles  to  keep  him  from  fulfilling  his 
appointments.  Though  his  health  was  often  feeble,  yet, 
for  fifteen  years,  while  he  was  in  Philadelphia,  he  was  not 
prevented  by  sickness  from  taking  his  place  on  the  Sab- 
bath day.  At  one  time  he  had  an  attack  of  pleurisy,  and, 
when  quite  ill,  insisted  on  it,  that  he  could  occupy  his 
pulpit  on  the  coming  Lord's  day.  He  was,  at  that  time, 
with  his  family,  about  four  miles  from  the  city.  A  friend 
came  out  in  a  chaise  to  visit  him.  He  earnestly  begged 
this  friend  to  take  him  into  the  city.  He  said  he  did  not 
9 


90  M  E  M  O  1  R     O  F 

fear,  but  that  the  Lord  would  strengthen  him  for  the  ser- 
vice. His  friend  complied.  When  they  had  proceeded 
about  half  the  distance,  he  fainted,  and  was  obliged  to  be 
carried  into  a  house.  But  so  great  was  his  apprehension 
that  his  flock  would  not  be  provided  for,  that,  on  recover- 
ing, he  insisted  on  going  forward,  and  actually  went  into 
the  pulpit,  and  preached  an  instructive  and  impressive 
discourse. 

His  preaching  was  a  combination  of  doctrine,  experi- 
ence, and  practice,  calculated  to  confirm  believers  in  the 
faith,  to  encourage  the  desponding,  and  to  rouse  up  the 
energies  of  the  slothful.  It  was  a  word  in  season  to  all, 
and  every  Christian  breast  felt  and  enjoyed  its  influence. 
Though  he  was  capable  of  wielding  the  arguments  of  the 
controversialist  to  the  greatest  advantage,  yet  controversy 
he  sedulously  avoided  ;  and,  whenever  it  became  necessary 
to  exhibit  his  own  views  of  truth,  his  candor  and  affection 
gained  even  the  approbation  of  those  who  stood  opposed. 
While  he  was  firm  in  maintaining  the  doctrine  of  grace, 
he  was  devoid  of  that  sectarian  bitterness,  which  has  so 
often  brought  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  Christ.  In  sup- 
port of  this  statement,  the  following  remarks  are  presented 
to  the  reader.  They  occur  in  a  sermon  delivered  at  the 
opening  of  the  Baptist  meeting-house  near  Trenton,  New- 
Jersey.  Stating  the  object  of  opening  a  house  of  worship, 
he  observed,  that  it  meant  an  open  avotval  of  the  design  of 
the  house.  He  said,  "  We  have  already  observed  it  is  a 
house  for  God;  we,  more  particularly,  declare  it  a  Baptist 
meeting-house,  built  for  a  sect  of  Christians  almost  every 
where  despised,  and  yet,  almost  every  where  increasing. 
Here  not  only  the  doctrines  of  grace  may  be  expected  to 
be  stated  and  maintained,  but  occasionally,  and  it  is  hoped 
never  but  with  respectful  candor,  our  views  of  that  ordi- 
nance of  Christ,  from  which  our  society  receives  its  denom- 


DR.     ST. \l- Gil  TON.  91 

ination.  But,  while  wo  puhlicly  avow  its  design  with  rela- 
tion to  the  Baptist  interest,  we  wish  not  to  be  understood, 
that  this  pulpit  is  accessible  only  to  ministers  of  Christ  of 
our  persuasion.  I  know  I  am  but  adding  a  voice  to  the 
thoughts  of  my  brother,  through  whose  ministrations  this 
house  has  been  raised,  and  of  the  members  of  the  church 
in  general,  when  I  give  a  cordial  welcome  to  every  preacher 
of  Jesus  to  assist  in  his  holy  services.  The  points  in 
which  we  differ  from  our  Christian  brethren  of  other  de- 
nominations, compared  with  those  in  which  we  all  agree, 
bear  no  greater  proportion  to  each  other,  than  does  the 
trembling  lustre  of  a  star  to  the  meridian  blaze  of  the 
summer  sun.  While  Christian  ingenuousness  proceeds  to 
state  relicjious  sentiment  with  plainness  and  simplicity. 
Christian  love  looks  anxiously  for  the  moment,  when 
bigotry  shall  expire  with  the  flames  it  has  kindled." 

No  part  of  a  discourse  is  more  difficult  than  an  appro- 
priate introduction.  In  this,  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
was  peculiarly  felicitous.  The  following  is  presented  as  a 
specimen.  It  is  the  introduction  of  a  sermon  preached  for 
the  benefit  of  a  charitable  institution,  from  the  words, 
"  U^e  lioqntulitij :" 

"On  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantz,  thousands  of 
conscientious  Christians  were  driven  to  England.  Dr. 
Tillotson  (afterwards  Archliishop)  interested  himself 
greatly  in  obtaining  relief  for  those  amiable  sufferers. 
The  King  granted  briefs  for  their  assistance.  One  of  the 
prebendaries  of  Canterbury  refused  to  read  the  briefs. 
"They  are,"  said  he,  "contrary  to  the  rubric."  Tillot- 
son replied,  "  O  Doctor,  Doctor,  charity  is  above  ru- 
brics." 

"  The  patriarch  Job  said,  "  I  am  as  one  that  comforteth 
the  mourners."  The  prophet  David  said,  "  When  they 
were  sick,  my  clothing  was  sackcloth."     Paul,  the  apostle, 


92  M  E  INI  O  I  R      O  F 

cries,  "  Who  is  weak,  and  I  am  not  weak?"  and,  com- 
mending his  Corinthian  brethren  for  tlieir  attention  to 
the  afflicted  and  persecuted  followers  of  the  Saviour, 
tells  them,  "  Ye  became  companions  of  them  that 
were  so  used."  Our  divine  Lord  was  "  acquainted 
with  grief,"  and,  in  all  the  afflictions  of  Israel,  God  was 
afflicted. 

"  Where  is  the  heart  that  does  not  admire  these  exam- 
ples of  compassion  to  the  children  of  sorrow?  and  where  is 
the  man  who  does  not  wish  to  imitate  them  ?  We  are 
about  to  recommend  an  active  and  sympathizing  charity, 
my  brethren,  to  you  this  evening.  We  wish  to  convince 
your  judgment  of  the  duty,  and  to  animate  your  passions  to 
its  discharge." 

His  selection  of  texts  was  always  striking,  and,  on  par- 
ticular occasions,  peculiarly  appropriate.  On  the  death  of 
his  nephew,  Sutton  Wythe,  he  preached  from  the  passage, 
"  Behold  there  was  a  dead  man  carried  out,  the  only  son  of 
his  mother,  and  she  was  a  widow."  The  words  were  an 
exact  representation  of  the  fact.  The  funeral  sermon 
which  he  preached  before  Congress,  on  the  death  of  Ad- 
ams and  Jefferson,  was  founded  on  the  words  of  David  : 
"  Lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives — in  their  death  they 
were  not  divided  :  they  were  swifter  than  eagles,  tht»y  were 
stronger  than  lions." 

His  discourses  were  always  characterized  by  great  sim- 
plicity. The  most  unlearned  could  comprehend  his  views, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  the  richest  intellect  was  enlight- 
ened by  his  developments  of  divine  truths.  Much  of  the 
power  which  he  maintained  over  his  hearers,  was  unques- 
tionably owing  to  his  voice  and  action ;  but  it  is  also  true, 
that  very  considerable  effect  was  produced  by  the  elo- 
quence of  thought  for  which  he  was  distinguished,  and  by 
the  lucid  manner  in  which  his  subjects  were  presented  to 


D  R.      S  T  A  V  G  H  T  O  N.  93 

the  mind  of  the  liearer.  Hundreds  are  still  living,  who 
recollect  his  splendid  division  and  treatment  of  the  pas- 
sage, "  We  have  not  followed  cunningly  devised  fables," 
&-C.  (2  Peter  1 :  IG.)  The  division  was  simple  and 
striking. 

I.  The  subject ;  and, 

II.  The  truth  of  the  apostolic  message. 

In  the  illustration  of  the  second  general  division, — that 
is,  the  truth  of  the  message, — two  inquiries  were  propos- 
ed :— 

1.  What  are  meant  by  cunningly-devised  fables? 

2.  What  are  the  proofs  that  these  have  not  been  fol- 
lowed ? 

The  proofs,  under  the  second  question,  will  long  be  re- 
membered. 

1.  Fables  are  destitute  of  chronological  dates. 

2.  They  are  exhibited  without  any  evidence  that  they 
ever  occurred. 

3.  They  were  contrived  for  amusement,  not  for  convic- 
tion. 

4.  Fables  are  replete  with  contradictions  and  absurdi- 
ties. 

5.  The  fabulists  of  Greece  and  Rome  confirm  their  fic- 
tions by  the  performance  of  no  miracles. 

6.  Ancient  fables,  however  finely  conceived  or  exquis- 
itely described,  were  usually  limited  to  the  nation  that 
adopted  them. 

7.  The  general  tendency  of  ancient  fable  is  to  corrupt 
the  heart. 

8.  Heathen  fable  offers  no  comfort  amid  the  sorrows  of 
life. 

9.  The  tendency  of  Christianity,  wherever  it  spreads,  is 
to  oppose  and  overthrow  the  fables  of  the  heathen. 

The  most  plain  and  convincing  evidences  of  the  truth 
9* 


94  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

of  the    Christian   religion  were   brought  to   view,   in  the 
course  of  the  sermon,  with  admirable  skill  and  effect. 

Topical  preaching  is  very  common,  at  the  present  day. 
A  subject  is  sought,  and  fully  prepared,  and  a  passage  of 
scripture  is  placed  at  the  head,  to  serve  as  a  motto.  Any 
man  can  preach  in  this  style,  especially  with  the  aid  of 
some  good  works  on  Theology,  but  the  beauties  of  the 
sacred  page  are  often,  if  not  usually,  lost  by  this  method. 
The  Bible  need  not  even  be  read,  much  less  studied.  Very 
different  was  the  plan  of  the  distinguished  individual,  to 
whose  life  these  pages  relate.  He  usually  drew  his  mate- 
rials from  the  text,  and  the  immediate  connexion.  And 
here  he  proved  himself  "  mighty  in  the  scriptures,"  while, 
at  the  same  time,  he  preserved  that  unity  of  composition 
which  is  considered  essential  to  the  perfection  of  a  dis- 
course. This  plan  was  the  result  of  much  thought  and 
observation,  and  arose  out  of  the  intense  desire  which  he 
felt  to  make  himself  useful  to  the  souls  of  men. 

His  views  of  doctrine  were  those  which  are  called  Cal- 
vinistic.  To  his  last  moments,  he  loved  and  taught  the 
sovereignty  of  God,  in  the  salvation  of  sinners.  The  sub- 
stitution of  Christ  in  the  place  of  those  whom  God  had 
given  him,  maintained  a  prominent  place  in  his  ministra- 
tions. He  was  particular  in  the  examination  of  candidates 
for  the  ordinance  of  baptism ;  and,  towards  the  close  of 
his  life,  I  have  heard  him  frequently  express  his  fears,  as  to 
the  methods  employed  by  many  to  induce  persons  to  join 
churches.  His  soul  seemed  to  abhor  the  idea  of  prevailing 
upon  men,  at  public  meetings,  to  commit  themselves  by  a 
show  of  being  on  the  Lord's  side,  under  the  excitement  of 
momentary  feeling.  No  one  could  have  been  more  earn- 
estly solicitous  than  he  was  for  the  conversion  of  sinners. 
His  addresses  to  them  were  close  and  powerful  appeals  ; 
uor  did  he  fear  to  rob  God  of  his  glory,  by  calling  upon 
men  to  repent. 


D  n.     S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  95 

Throughout  his  ministerial  career,  he  felt  a  deep  attach- 
ment to  young  persons,  and  an  intense  desire  for  their  sal- 
vation. His  annual  sermons  to  youth  will  live  in  the 
recollection  of  multitudes,  through  time  and  eternity.  His 
addresses  to  them,  on  these  occasions,  were  marked  with 
peculiar  solemnity  and  fervor.  It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted 
that  these  efforts  of  his  genius  and  piety  were  not  com- 
mitted to  paper,  for  the  use  of  generations  succeeding. 
The  interest  which  he  felt  in  tliese  annual  exercises  is 
very  forcibly  described  in  a  letter  to  his  son,  written  from 
Virginia,  in  the  year  1825. 

"  This  is  the  first  Lord's  day  in  which,  for  nineteen  suc- 
cessive years,  I  have  not  delivered  a  new  year's  sermon  to 
crowded  assemblies,  with  a  view  to  the  welfare  of  youth. 
I  very  sensibly  feel  the  change  created  bj  my  present  cir- 
cumstances. It  is  not  my  duty  to  complain.  Providence, 
I  believe,  has  changed  my  sphere  of  action,  and  submission 
to  its  dictates  is  my  duty." 

During  his  ministry  in  Philadelphia,  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  young  men  were  raised  up,  by  the  power  of  God, 
through  his  instrumentality,  to  the  honor  of  preaching  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  He  was  careful  to  observe  the  expanding 
intellectual  energies  of  those  whom  the  Lord  had  placed 
under  his  charge,  and  by  public  exhortation,  as  well  as  by 
private  conversation,  to  encourage  them  to  the  exercise  of 
their  talents. 


9G  M  E  M  O  I  R     O  F 


CHAPTER  V. 


Character  of  his  preaching,  continued. 

His  elocution  was  of  the  highest  order.  His  sermons 
were  always  impressive,  and  his  command  of  the  attention 
of  his  audience  almost  unbounded.  Though  it  is  impossi- 
ble in  any  description  to  do  justice  to  his  style  and  manner, 
yet  it  would  be  doing  manifest  injustice  to  his  character, 
not  to  furnish  some  specimens  of  his  pulpit  efforts.  These 
however  must  of  necessity  be  deficient,  as  many  of  them 
depend  mainly  upon  the  integrity  of  memory. 

On  the  passage,  "  We  all  beholding,  as  in  a  glass,  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image  from 
glory  to  glory,"  he  observed,  "Glory  is  the  manifestation 
of  holiness,  the  exhibition  of  the  character  of  God.  This 
glory,  as  seen  under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation,  the 
Israelites  alone  were  permitted  to  view ;  for  though  when 
Jehovah  appeared  upon  Mount  Sinai,  it  is  possible  that 
Egypt,  Edom,  and  Moab,  heard  the  distant  thunder,  saw 
the  lowering  smoke,  and  felt  the  quaking  of  the  earth 
beneath  them,  when  the  mountains  'skipped  like  rams, 
and  the  hills  like  young  lambs  at  the  presence  of  the  Lord,' 
yet  Israel  alone  enjoyed  the  vision.  But  we  all  now  behold 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  as  in  a  glass.  When  looking  with 
the  naked  eye  at  an  eclipse,  all  is  obscurity ;  but  through  a 
well  tempered  glass,  we  can  observe  with  delight  its  pro- 
gress. So  without  the  glass  of  the  gospel,  the  glory  of  our 
God  would  be  but  dimly  seen  ;  but  when  looking  into  this 
glass,  distant  glories  are  brought  near.  Look,  ye  saints,  at 
the  face  of  your  Redeemer,   if  you  would   see  his  glory 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  97 

manifested.  Tliere  is  a  passage  in  Hebrews  too  sublime 
for  exposition,  too  sublime  for  angelic  interpretation  ;  Jesus 
Christ 'the  brightness  of  the  Father's  glory,  and  the  ex- 
press image  of  his  person.'  Christians,  you  can  now  ob- 
serve the  glory  of  your  Redeemer  on  the  iace  of  your  Bible 
societies,  your  Tract  societies,  your  Sunday  schools;  but, 
delightful  thought,  through  all  eternity  your  capacity  for 
beholding  this  glory  will  be  progressive.  If,  my  fellow- 
sinner,  you  would  see  God  on  the  earth,  look  for  him 
among  his  saints." 

On  the  subject  of  redemption  through  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  following  passage  has  been  furnished  by  the 
same  hand.  "  Marvellous  indeed  was  the  light  which 
sprang  out  of  chaos,  when  God  said,  '  Let  there  be  light.' 
Marvellous  was  the  light  which  guided  the  people  of  Israel 
through  the  wilderness,  but  more  marvellous  than  either,  is 
the  light  which,  through  the  blood  of  our  dear  Redeemer, 
is  poured  into  the  sinner's  soul,  which  will  not  only  be  a 
burning  and  a  shining  lamp  to  his  feet  while  traversing 
earth,  but  will  light  him  to  his  heavenly  home,  where  he 
will  see  his  God  face  to  face, 

'  And  flesh  and  sin  no  more  control 
The  sacred  pleasures  of  the  soul.'  " 

His  impressive  illustration  of  the  passage,  "  Now  that  he 
ascended,  what  is  it  but  that  he  also  descended  first  into 
the  lower  parts  of  the  earth,"  will  recur  to  the  recollection 
of  many  readers.  "  Before  our  Redeemer  could  ascend 
into  glory  it  was  necessary  that  he  should  first  descend  and 
dwell  among  men,  for  such  was  the  native  grandeur  of  his 
character  he  could  not  have  been  exalted  without  being 
abased  for  this  very  purpose.  But  this  we  find  is  not  ne- 
cessary in  case  of  man,  for  he  is  already  debased  by  sin,  and 
in  order  therefore  to  ascend,  it  is  not  needful  that  he  should 


9S  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

first  descend  ;  his  character  needs  only  that  elevation  which 
the  grace  of  God  can  give." 

The  beauty  of  the  sentiment  that  follows,  is  but  a  soli- 
tary instance  amid  multitudes  of  the  delicacy  of  his  mind. 
"  The  exertions  of  Christians  for  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
while  they  are  fulfilling  prophecy,  are  with  a  seraphic  zeal 
and  fervor,  emphatically  hastening  the  day  of  the  Lord." 

Preaching  from  the  passage,  "  Then  shall  the  king  say 
to  them  on  his  right  hand,  come  ye  blessed  of  my  father, 
&c."  after  introducing  the  subject,  he  exclaimed,  "  How 
interesting  a  scene  f  You  will  be  there  ;  /  shall  be  there. 
What  can  we  suppose  the  king  will  say  1  See,  he  turns 
to  those  on  his  right  hand  !  Hark !  he  speaks,  '  Come,  ye 
blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom.'  How  less  than 
nothing  are  all  the  scenes  earth  has  ever  displayed  com- 
pared with  this !  ye  magnificent  processions  !  ye  royalties 
superb !  we  give  you  all  to  vanity,  your  mother,  your 
highest  boast. 

"  In  describing  such  glories,  how  feeble  the  language  of 
mortals  !  With  greater  success  may  the  artist,  on  the  can- 
vass, describe  the  full  grandeur  and  resplendence  of  the 
setting  sun,  than  the  most  creative  and  sacred  imagination 
exhibit  a  thousandth  part  of  the  dignities  of  this  day.  I 
feel  the  importance  of  our  subject.  My  heart  trembles 
beneath  the  ponderous  theme.  However  it  is  your  advan- 
tage I  seek,  and  if,  while  I  am  speaking,  the  Holy  Spirit 
uses  the  subject  as  a  means  of  exciting  your  ambition, 
your  solicitude,  to  be  prepared  and  raised  to  the  right  hand 
of  the  Majesty  on  high,  ?«?/  earnest  wishes,  and  i/our  eternal 
happiness  will  alike  be  effected." 

I  have  in  my  possession  the  skeleton  of  his  sermon 
delivered  at  the  opening  of  the  Convention  in  1823,  in  the 
city  of  Washington.  The  notes  are  short ;  but,  aided  by 
some  recollection  of  the  discourse,  I  feel  it  a  duty  to  pre- 


I)  R.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N,  99 

sent  its  general  features.  The  text  was  impressive  and 
peculiarly  adapted  to  the  occasion.  "  JTe  thanked  God 
and  took  courage,"  (Acts,  28:  15.)  "The  analogy  that 
subsists  between  primitive  saints  and  sincere  christians  in 
these  later  ages,  is  strong,  beautiful,  and  instructive. 
Their  consolations  and  sorrows,  their  regrets  and  anticipa- 
tions, their  apprehensions  and  supports,  have  a  striking 
resemblance.  While  circumstances  of  such  a  nature  de- 
monstrate the  unvarying  character  of  holy  truth,  while  they 
prove  that  the  outlines  of  the  Christian  profession  are, 
through  every  age,  the  same,  they  invite  our  inquiry  into 
the  sources  whence  their  sacred  comforts,  amid  their  toils 
and  sorrows,  were  drawn,  that  we  may  learn  where  to  seek 
aiid  how  to  maintain  them. 

^' The  apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  at  the  period  to  which  our 
text  alludes,  was  in  circumstances  of  peculiar  trial.  Though 
he  had  done  nothing  worthy  of  death  or  of  bonds,  by  the 
express  confession  of  his  adversaries,  yet  no  means  of 
securing  to  himself  the  common  rights  of  society,  seemed 
left  liim,  except  by  appealing  to  Caesar. 

"  To  this  measure  he  was  the  more  invited,  partly  from 
a  desire  of  visiting  a  city,  that  was  then  the  capital  of 
Italy,  and  of  the  world,  a  city  in  almost  every  respect  far 
superior  to  the  Rome  of  modern  times.  He  had  said,  '  So 
much  as  in  me  lieth,  I  am  ready  to  preach  the  gospel  to 
you  that  are  in  Rome  also.'  Beside  this,  a  short  time 
before  the  events  alluded  to  in  the  passage,  in  the  night 
he  saw  the  Lord  standing  by  him,  who  said,  '  Be  of  good 
cheer,  Paul,  for  as  thou  hast  testified  of  me  in  Jerusalem, 
so  must  thou  also  bear  witness  also  at  Rome.' 

"  In  consequence  of  his  appeal  it  was  determined  that 
himself  and  his  companion  should  sail  thither,  and  Paul 
and  other  prisoners  were  delivered  unto  one  named  Julius, 
a  centurion,  of  Augustus'  band.     His  vjyage  and  journey 


100  MEMOIR     OF 

were  attended  with  disasters,  but  they  were  marked  with 
peculiar  consolations.  He  was  blest  with  the  spirit  of 
prophecy,  with  the  vision  of  an  angel,  with  escape  from 
shipwreck,  with  a  miraculous  deliverance  from  a  viper, 
with  the  protection  and  patronage  of  Jehovah  upon  the 
sea  and  the  land.  But  that  which  more  especially  touched 
his  heart  was  the  attention,  sympathy,  and  succors  of  his 
believing  brethren  at  Tyre,  (27:  3)  atPuteoli,  (28  :  13,  14) 
at  Appii  Forum,  about  fifty  miles  from  Rome,  and  at  a 
place  called  Trcs  Tabcrnec,  or  the  Three  Taverns,  a  little 
more  than  thirty  miles  distant  from  the  city.  Some  came 
fifty,  some  thirty  miles,  to  welcome,  console,  and  encourage 
the  greatest  apostle  that  ever  bore  the  messages  of  God 
to  man. 

"  Perhaps  the  heart  of  Paul  might  have  sunk  within  him. 
He  was  a  man  of  like  passions  with  ourselves,  but  when  he 
saw  the  brethren,  '  he  thanked  God,  and  took  courage.' 

"  We  raise  from  the  passage  the  general  idea  that  Chris- 
tian interviews  have  a  tendency  to  excite  gratitude  and 
confidence.  These  graces 'and  blessings,  it  is  hoped,  will 
distinguish  the  present  Convention  of  the  Baptist  denomin- 
ation of  the  United  States.  Thankfulness  to  God  is  one 
of  the  noblest  duties  in  which  the  mind  can  be  engaged. 
It  is  a  service  reasonable  in  itself  It  is  a  service  most 
pleasant.  It  is  a  service  that  has  a  perpetual  claim  on  our 
regard,  a  service  of  a  most  comprehensive  character,  and 
an  exercise,  for  the  most  part,  of  a  spiritual  nature.  It 
may  be  expressed  by  the  song,  '  Awake  up  my  glory,'  by 
the  establishing;  of  memorials,  as  the  altar  of  Noah,  the 
pillar  of  Jacob,  the  stone  of  Samuel,  and  the  valley  of 
Berachah.  It  may  be  expressed  by  the  gestures  of  the 
body.  Thus  Abraham  fell  on  his  face,  Daniel,  '  kneeled 
upon  his  knees,'  and  the  priesthood  of  Aaron  lifted  up  their 
hands  unto  God ;  but  in  general,  thanksgiving  is  an  exer- 


DR.      STAUGUTOX.  101 

cise  of  the  heart.  '  Bless  the  Lord,0  my  soul,  and  all  that 
is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name.'  The  lofty  heavens,  the 
irrational  creation,  the  saints  in  glory,  the  angels,  exemplify 
and  assist  our  anthems  of  praise. 

"  Courage  is  a  sacred  resolution  of  the  soul  to  sustain  the 
sorrows,  and  triumph  over  the  difficulties  of  our  situation 
in  life.  It  is  fortitude  in  its  active  and  passive  forms.  It 
is  distinct  from  piisUlanimity.  Barak  said,  '  If  thou  wilt 
go  with  me,  then  will  I  go,  but  if  thou  wilt  not  go  with 
mo,  I  will  not  go.'  But  courage  can  tread  the  wine-press 
alone.  It  is  distinct  from  temcriti/.  The  aphorism  of  the 
clerk  at  Ephesus  deserves  perpetual  respect ;  '  Ye  ought  to 
be  quiet,  and  do  nothing  rashly.'  Were  I  to  personate  this 
holy  affection,  I  would  call  it  a  Moses  entering  the  cham- 
bers of  an  oppres.sor,  and  demanding,  in  the  name  of  God, 
the  emancipation  of  the  oppressed ;  a  David,  marching 
against  an  uncircumsised  Philistine,  with  a  sling  and  a 
stone ;  a  Hebrew  band,  indifferent  as  to  the  result,  though 
awed  with  a  furnace  heated  seven  times  hotter  than  usual; 
a  Daniel,  fearlessly  descending  a  den  of  lions ;  a  Paul, 
troubled  on  every  side,  yet  prepared  to  cry  out,  '  None  of 
these  things  move  me.'  ' 

"  Courage  and  thankfulness  have  a  reciprocal  influence 
on  each  other. 

"I.  Thankfulness  produces  courage. 

"1.  It  makes  the  mind  conversant  with  infinite  power 
and  goodness.  Familiar  with  greatness,  it  becomes  great 
itself.  If  the  presence  of  the  heroes  of  the  earth,  inspire 
resolution,  how  much  more  the  presence  of  the  God  of 
Jacob. 

"2.  It  is  a  sacred  duty,  and  in  common  with  every  holy 
action,  fills  the  mind  with  strength.     Sin  enfeebles  :  '  The 
wicked  flceth  when  no  man  pursueth ;'    on   the  contrary, 
'  The  righteous  are  bold  as  a  lion.' 
10 


102  MEMOIR     OF 

"  3.  It  has  a  natural  tendency  to  awaken  and  elevate  all 
the  powers  of  the  soul.  "O  come  let  us  sing  unto  the 
Lord  ;  let  us  make  a  joyful  noise  to  the  rock  of  our  salva- 
tion." The  whole  of  the  98th  Psalm  is  a  specimen  of 
pious  hilarity,  when  the  heart  is  cast  down,  the  arm  is  un- 
nerved ;  but  a  thankful  temper,  by  calling  its  powers  into 
life,  arrays  them  for  holy  action. 

"  4.  It  is  frequently  awakened  by  a  recollection  of  divine 
deliverances.  David  says,  "  Thy  loving  kindness  is  before 
mine  eyes,  and  I  have  walked  in  thy  truth."  Saints  in 
their  afflictions  can  say,  "  Is  his  arm  shortened  ?  Are  his 
affections  withdrawn  ?  He  hath  delivered,  and  in  him  we 
trust,  that  he  will  deliver  still." 

"  II.  Courage  has  an  excellent  effect  upon  thankfulness. 
It  is  an  important  exercise  viewed  in  reference  to  our  own 
weakness,  our  restless  adversaries,  the  dishonor  of  cow- 
ardice in  the  greatest  of  causes,  the  laborious  nature  and 
extended  field  of  those  services  which  the  Christian  is 
called  to  fulfil,  and  the  approbation  of  God. 

(These  points  were  all  amplified  by  the  speaker.)  Who 
but  God  can  inspire  it,  who  but  God  can  sustain  it  ? 
Courage  is  a  devotional  temper,  banishing  timidity,  cor- 
recting excesses,  and  confessing  the  hand  of  God  in  all. 
Its  language  is,  '  In  the  name  of  the  Lord  we  will  set  up 
our  banners.'  Thus  when  Jabin,  the  king  of  Canaan, 
with  Sisera  his  captain,  mightily  oppressed  the  children  of 
Israel  for  twenty  years,  and  when  by  the  courage  of  Deb- 
orah he  was  subdued,  she  uttered  the  voice  of  thanks- 
giving. '  Praise  ye  the  Lord  for  the  avenging  of  Israel, 
when  the  people  willingly  offered  themselves.  Plear,  O  ye 
kings  ;  give  ear,  O  ye  princes  ;  I,  even  I,  will  sing  unto  the 
Lord,  I  will  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord  God  of  Israel.  So 
let  all  thine  enemies  perish,  O  Lord  ;  but  let  them  that 
love  him  be  as  the  sun  when  he  goeth  forth  in  his  might.' 
(Judges  V.  2,  3  and  31st  verse.) 


D  K.      STAUGHTON.  103 

"  But  while  gratitude  and  confidence  reciprocally  act  on 
each  other,  the  intercourse  of  the  servants  of  God  has  an 
influence  in  advancing  both. 

"  1.  What  are  seen  but  monuments  of  divine  power  and 
goodness,  examples  of  the  advance  of  the  kingdom  of  the 
Lord  Jesus.  When  the  gospel  was  first  introduced  to 
Rome  is  unknown.  Perhaps  by  the  strangers  from  Rome, 
who  were  present  at  the  Pentecost.  Paul  had  written 
them  an  epistle  before  the  present  visit,  and  already  were 
there  saints  in  Caesar's  household. 

'*  2.  The  tendency  of  Christian  interviews  may  also  be 
seen  in  the  communications  which  they  present  relative  to 
the  growth  of  the  empire  of  Christ. 

"  3.  It  is  exhibited  in  the  sympathies,  which  holy  men 
are  prepared  to  extend  to  their  brethren  in  atliiction  and 
toil. 

"  4.  Christian  interviews  have  an  influence  in  advancing 
gratitude  and  confidence,  by  the  prayers  which  are  offered 
in  relation  to  the  cause  of  God  on  the  earth. 

"  5.  By  the  counsel  they  are  able  to  impart,  and  the  de- 
liberations in  which  they  are  ready  to  unite.  As  '  Iron 
sharpeneth  iron  ;  so  a  man  sharf>eneth  the  countenance  of 
his  friend.' 

"  G.  By  the  spirit  of  holy  co-opetation  which  tliey  are 
disposed  to  cherish.  Man  of  God,  thou  shalt  not  suffer 
alone,  alone  thou  shalt  not  toil  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

"  United  effort  becomes  powerful  effort.  United  vapors 
form  the  clouds  of  heaven,  the  chariots  of  God,  the  source 
of  all  the  beauty  which  April  sheds  on  the  vegetative 
earth. 

"  United  sands  form  the  bulwarks  of  the  ocean,  and  are 
employed  to  restrain  the  madness  of  the  surges,  and  exe- 
cute the  decisions  of  heaven — '  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go, 
and  here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed.' 


104  M  E  BI  O  I  R      O  F 

"  Stars,  shedding  their  mingled  though  tremulous  rays, 
maintain  the  grandeur,  the  beauty,  the  solemnities  of  the 
midnight  hour. 

"  7.  By  the  paralyzing  influence  which  such  interviews 
produce  on  the  arm  of  the  Prince  of  darkness,  and  on  the 
stratagems  of  earth. 

"  If  Satan  trembles  at  the  sight  of  a  solitary  individual, 
and  cries  out  '  Paul  I  know,'  what  must  be  his  terror, 
when  the  servants  of  God  are  united  in  holy  service  \  I 
seem  to  hear  him  utter  the  despairing  language,  'Bible  so- 
cieties I  know,  Mission  societies  I  knoic,  Sahhath  schools  1 
know,  Tract  societies  Iknoio,  the  Baptist  General  Conven- 
tion I  know.' 

"  As  to  earthly  opposers,  look  at  them.  At  the  very  sight 
of  the  city  of  God,  of  the  mountain  of  his  holiness,  of  the 
palaces  of  Jehovah,  they  are  troubled  and  haste  away. 
Fear  takes  hold  upon  them,  and  pain  as  of  a  woman  in 
travail.     (Ps.  xlviii.  4 — 8.) 

"  8.  By  the  influence  produced  on  the  minds  of  other 
brethren,  who  have  not  yet  joined  the  associations  of  those 
who  have  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord.  Our  former 
meetings  together  have  had  a  salutary  eflfect,  and  this 
Convention  has  been  steadily  increasing  in  numbers  and 
strength. 

"  9.  By  the  blessings  which  the  Lord  usually  sheds  on 
Christian  interviews.  When  the  disciples  walking  to 
Emmaus  were  joined  by  the  risen  Saviour,  though  they 
recognized  him  not,  and  he  opened  to  their  understanding 
the  Scriptures,  concerning  his  death,  their  hearts  burned 
within  them.  While  the  disciples  were  together  on  one 
occasion  praying  for  Peter,  the  blessing  of  heaven  richly 
descended  in  answer  to  their  cries,  and  aided  by  an  angel 
from  heaven,  the  apostle  Peter  stood  before  them,  having 
passed  through  the  prison  doors  unobserved." 


DR.      S  T  A  U  (J  H  T  O  N.  105 

The  improvement  of  the  subject  was  short  and  forcil)Ie. 
He  observed,  "  Let  no  inattention  of  others  dispirit  your 
exertions.  While  some  ingloriously  abide  among  the  sheep- 
folds,  while  some  abide  in  ships,  and  others  in  breaches, 
there  remain  men,  who,  like  Zebulon  and  Naphtali,  are 
prepared  to  jeopard  their  lives  unto  death  in  the  high 
places  of  the  field. 

"  To  the  exercise  of  the  duties  exhibited  in  the  text,  we 
are  imperiously  called  by  the  signs  of  the  times.  Others 
are  meeting,  of  every  name,  to  advance  the  interests  of 
Zion  ;  others  are  blessing  God  in  monthly  meetings  for 
devotion,  and  in  the  closet  ;  while  others  are  holding  up 
the  feeble  hands,  and  exciting  the  weak  to  active  fortitude 
in  the  contest. 

"  Let  us  bless  God,  Bible  societies  have  become  broad 
rivers  and  streams,  bearing  on  their  bosom  the  treasures  of 
knowledge  and  holiness  ;  tracts  are  entering  the  mansions 
of  the  great  and  the  cottages  of  the  poor ;  children  are 
trained  in  Sunday  schools;  Hindoos  are  learning  riie  path 
to  heaven  ;  Burmans  are  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  the  presence  of  their  emperor  accessible  to  the 
missionaries  of  the  cross. 

"  It  is  now  too  late  to  assert,  that  prophecies  are  of 
dubious  import,  that  the  time  for  building  the  Lord's  house 
has  not  yet  come,  that  missionary  schemes  are  visionary, 
that  to  turn  the  heathen  from  their  idolatries  is  a  task 
never  to  be  accomplished,  that  education  is  adverse  to 
piety  and  public  usefulness  in  the  cause  of  God.  These 
ideas  have  passed  away,  I  was  going  to  say,  like  the  Levit- 
ical  system  before  the  establishment  of  the  kingdom  of  the 
Messiah  upon  the  earth  :  but  that  economy,  though  transient, 
was  an  ordinance  of  God,  these  objections  are  the  offspring 
of  prejudice,  apathy,  or  error.  Christ  must  reign  until  all 
enemies  are  put  under  his  feet.  Ignorance  shall  vanish 
10* 


106  MEMOIR     OF 

before  the  light  of  his  path,  sorrow  be  obliterated  from  the 
bosoms  of  men,  and  wars  shall  cease  unto  the  ends  of 
the  earth. 

"  The  emperor  of  France  once  said,  '  I  live  for  glori/.' 
My  brethren  of  the  Convention,  we  live  for  glory  not  our 
own,  let  that  perish  in  the  dust,  but  for  the  glort/  of  the 
church,  for  the  glory  of  God.  Our  song  is,  '  Not  unto 
us,  not  unto  us,  O  Lord,  but  unto  thy  name  be  all  the 
glory.'  We  are  brethren  assembled  together  in  unity,  and 
with  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  our  interview  shall  be 
precious  as  the  ointment  of  Aaron,  that  went  down  to  the 
skirts  of  his  garments,  invigorating  as  the  dew  of  Hermon, 
that  descended  upon  the  mountains  of  Zion." 

The  following  tender  and  soothing  passages  are  taken 
from  a  funeral  sermon,  preached  upon  the  decease  of 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Jones.  lie  was,  for  more  than 
fifty-one  years,  the  beloved  and  affectionate  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  Church  at  Pennebek,  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania. 

"  In  some  views,  it  may  appear  of  no  moment  where  the 
mortal  part  is  lodged,  when  the  spirit  has  forsaken  it ;  yet 
how  few  are  the  minds  that  can  resist,  or  would  wish  to 
resist,  the  tender  emotions  and  attachments,  which  the 
graves  of  our  dearest  connexions  av/aken.  Isaac  and 
Ishmael  may  be  considered  as  gratifying  the  desire  of 
Abraham,  when  they  buried  him  in  the  cave  of  Macphe- 
lah,  where  reposed  the  ashes  of  Sarah,  his  wife.  It  was 
the  united  voice  of  natural  affection  and  faith,  which  Jo- 
seph heard  from  his  dying  parent ;  '  bury  me  not,  I  pray 
thee,  in  Egypt ;  but  I  will  lie  with  my  fathers  ;  and  thou 
shalt  carry  me  out  of  Egypt,  and  bury  me  in  their  burying 
place.'  I  will  here  only  add,  that  the  remains  of  your 
dear  pastor,  are  sleeping  by  the  side  of  his  affectionate 
wife  and  children,  and  surrounded  by  the  dust  of  such  as 


OR.     S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  107 

were  once  the  happy  people  of  liis  anxious  charge.  In 
the  same  silent  ground,  you  are  already  anticipating  resting- 
places  for  yourselves. 

"  It  is  remarked  by  Dr.  Fuller,  on  the  decease  of 
Abraham,  that  '  even  in  the  grave,  it  is  natural  to  wish  to 
associate  with  those  whom  we  have  known  and  loved  on 
earth,  and  still  more  in  the  world  to  come.'  May  not  the 
gathering  of  a  saint  to  his  fathers  involve  in  it  the  wel- 
come idea,  that  he  has  gone  to  mingle  with  the  spirits  of 
the  just  in  heaven  1  Many  of  you  have  beloved  parents  or 
children,  brethren  and  sisters,  in  the  flesh  and  in  the 
Lord,  already  in  glory.  Have  not  your  hearts  been 
soothed,  as  you  stood  weeping  over  their  clay,  that  in  a 
little  time  you  and  they  should  meet  again  ?  Indulge  the 
delightful  idea.  Soon  to  their  invaluable  company,  you, 
who  fear  the  Lord,  shall  be  restored.  They  are  already 
standing  on  the  shores  of  heaven,  and  waiting  to  welcome 
you  to  everlasting  habitations.  They  have  their  Father's 
name  in  their  foreheads,  and  in  a  little  time  the  same 
characters  shall  be  resplendent  on  yours.  Wander  to-day 
no  longer  among  the  tombs.  Rise  with  me  in  your  med- 
itations. Behold  your  deceased  elder,  among  the  elders 
before  the  throne !  See  him  walking  in  white  with  his 
spiritual  children.  lie  is  your  associate  on  earth  no 
more ;  but  he  has  now  for  his  companions,  apostles  and 
prophets,  martyrs  and  angels.  He  has  fought  the 
good  fight,  and  you  have  reason  to  believe  is  wearing  the 
crown  of  righteousness.  Instead  of  bedewing  his  grave 
with  incessant  tears,  exult  for  the  victory  he  has  ob- 
tained, and  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  your 
high  calling." 

The  closing  passages  are  peculiarly  fine.  After  giving 
a  short  statement  of  the  dying  experience  of  this  man  of 
God,  he  says,  "  On  Monday,  the  7th  of  February  last,  at 


108  MEMOIR      OF 

one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  he  closed  his  own  eyes  and 
fell  asleep." 

"  Then  you,  my  dear  friend,  his  surviving  daughter, 
became  fatherless.  I  rejoice  that  you  have  been  assisted 
to  sustain  the  shock,  with  a  fortitude  so  truly  Christian. 
Be  thankful  to  the  Lord,  who  gave  you  such  a  parent,  and 
for  so  long  a  period.  Lean  on  your  father's  God,  and 
patiently  wait  the  interviews  of  heaven.  Be  thankful,  my 
beloved  brethren,  who  compose  this  church  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  for  having  been  blessed  with  such  an  under-shep- 
herd.  Laborious,  faithful  and  affectionate,  he  inspired 
your  confidence,  you  exercised  it  freely,  and  it  never  was 
abused.  Copy  his  holy  example,  recollect  his  solemn  in- 
structions, and  prepare  to  meet  him  in  heaven.  May  the 
Lord  assist  you  in  the  choice  of  a  successor. 

"  I  see  in  the  assembly  many  of  you,  my  aged  friends, 
bitterly  weeping.  Methinks  I  hear  you  say,  as  did  Beza 
of  Calvin,  '  Since  he  is  gone,  life  has  become  less  sweet, 
and  death  less  bitter.'  I  see  the  youth  all  around  me  in 
tears.  You  are  sensible  he  felt,  he  deeply  felt  for  you. 
Consider  him  as  bequeathing  to  you  the  sententious  lines 
on  the  grave-stone  of  one  of  his  children.  Write  them  on 
your  hearts  ; 

'  All  wlio  live  must  die  ; 
All  wlio  die  must  live 
In  endless  joy  or  woe.' 

"  May  you  meet  your  minister,  in  the  judgment  day, '  with 
joy,  and  not  with  grief 

"  Forget  not,  my  brethren,  that  though  earthly  pastors 
fall  asleep,  and  are  laid  to  their  fathers,  the  great  Shepherd 
continues  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever." 

On  one  occasion,  he  was  preaching  from  the  words, 
"  God,  be  merciful  to  me   a  sinner."     His  soul  kindled  as 


DR.     STAUGHTON.  109 

ho  proceeded,  with  intense  iirdor  for  the  salvation  of  Iiis 
assembly,  lie  represented,  in  a  strain  of  vivid  and  power- 
ful elocjuence,  the  joy  of  the  angelic  hosts  upon  the  repent- 
ance of  one  sinner.  Had  a  stenographer  been  employed 
to  write  down  his  language,  he  would  have  paused  ;  his 
pen  would  have  refused  to  move,  and  he  would  have  been 
fixed  as  a  statue  of  marble.  Perfect  silence  reigned 
through  the  vast  audience.  There  was  a  moment's  pause, 
and  it  was  obvious,  from  his  countenance  and  his  attitude, 
that  his  mind  was  preparing  for  some  powerful  and  over- 
whelming flood  of  feeling.  He  proceeded  : — "  Shall  I 
retire  with  the  desponding  reflection,  that,  in  all  this  con- 
gregation, there  is  not  one  soul  humbled  before  God  ? 
Shall  angels  prepare  their  wings  for  flight,  and  the  voice 
of  contrition  be  unheard  ?  It  cannot  be.  I  will  cherish 
the  hope  that  there  is  at  least  one  sinner  here,  whose  heart 
is  melted  down  before  the  Lord,  and  trembling  at  the  pros- 
pect of  future  retribution :  that  there  is,  even  now,  one 
whose  agony  is  on  the  point  of  extorting  from  his  lips  the 
cry  of  the  publican."  Suddenly  throwing  up  his  arm,  with 
a  voice  full,  loud,  and  raj)id,  he  exclaimed,  "  Hark  !"  The 
effect  it  is  impossible  to  describe.  His  arm  remained  for 
a  time  elevated,  during  which  the  most  awful  stillness 
reigned,  interrupted  only  by  an  apparently  delicate  and  in- 
describable breathing,  that  seemed  to  pass  over  the  congre- 
gation, midway  in  the  edifice.  Then,  with  that  grace  and 
energy  peculiar  to  himself,  he  brought  down  his  hand 
upon  his  breast,  and  repeated  the  prayer,  "  God,  he  merci- 
ful to  me,  a  sinner." 

The  feelings  of  the  assembly  were  wrought  to  the 
highest  point,  and  some  time  elapsed  before  they  were 
enabled  to  breathe  freely.  The  writer  of  this  Memoir  was 
so  completely  carried  away,  that  he  frankly  concedes,  he 
has  ever  since  been  at  a  loss  to  recall  the  exact  language 


110  MEMOIR      OP 

of  the  Doctor.  His  attitude,  his  countenance,  his  voice, 
it  were  a  vain  attempt  to  sketch. 

During  the  latter  period  of  his  ministry,  he  used  glasses 
to  assist  his  vision.  Those  who  were  familiar  with  his 
preaching,  at  this  period,  recollect,  distinctly  well,  that 
whenever  he  removed  his  spectacles,  and  laid  them  on  the 
pulpit,  it  was  a  certain  indication  that  some  new  and  glow- 
ing idea  was  forming  in  his  mind,  which  he  was  about  to 
utter,  in  a  strain  of  impassioned  eloquence. 

His  illustrations  of  truth  were,  emphatically,  scriptural. 
In  comparing  scripture  with  scripture,  and  thus  throwing 
light  upon  difficult  passages,  he  was  remarkably  successful. 
His  boldest  images,  his  finest  conceptions  were  drawn  from 
the  treasury  of  divine  inspiration.  His  quotations  were 
appropriate  and  convincing. 

His  appeals  to  the  consciences  of  men  were  truly  pow- 
erful. When  he  directed  their  minds  to  the  peace- 
speaking  blood  of  Christ,  and  exhibited  the  mercy  of  God 
to  the  penitent,  there  was  a  softening,  subduing  influence, 
that  involuntarily  started  the  tear  from  the  eye  ;  but  when 
he  addressed  impenitent  sinners  in  the  language  of  warn- 
ing, Sinai  seemed  to  tower  over  their  heads,  and  cast  forth 
its  fearful  flames :  the  glittering  sword  of  divine  justice 
impended  :  the  scene  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  as  the 
descending  flames  spread  over  these  fair  portions  of  earth, 
seemed  to  rise  before  them,  and  the  thunder  of  an  insulted 
God  convulsed  the  earth.  By  the  force  of  his  action,  the 
modulations  of  his  voice,  and  the  felicity  of  his  images,  he 
never  failed  to  produce  an  impression  that  the  scenes  por- 
trayed were  really  before  them.  We  have  seen  the  tower 
trembling  to  its  base,  and  gradually  undermined,  until  the 
centre  of  gravity  no  longer  supported,  we  have  shuddered, 
as,  with  roaring  crash,  it  fell,  and,  even  to  this  day,  we  can 
fancy  we  hear  its  long-continued  and  tremendous  echoes. 


D  R.      ST  A  U  G  IITO  N.  Ill 

W'c  have  seen  the  sinner  suspended  over  an  unfathoma- 
ble gulf  by  a  feeble  cord  ;  we  have  felt  as  though  every 
power  of  action  was  paralyzed  at  his  imminent  danger,  and, 
before  we  had  recovered  from  the  shock,  we  have  seen  the 
support  suddenly  parted  asunder,  and  almost  shrieked  with 
agony,  as  we  witnessed  his  rapid  descent,  his  everlasting 
disappearance. 

We  have  been  carried  to  the  bod-side  of  the  cxpirincr 
saint,  have  heard  his  triumphant  hallelujahs,  have  listened 
witli  intense  interest  to  the  last  sigh  that  announced  the 
separation  of  body  and  soul.  We  have  seemed  to  see  the 
spirit  surrounded  by  a  host  of  angels,  and  swiftly  rising  to 
tlie  habitations  of  the  redeemed.  Even  heaven  itself 
appeared  to  be  opened,  and  the  holiest  of  all  to  burst  upon 
our  vision,  as  the  enraptured  soul  entered  into  rest :  and, 
as  those  holy  doors  closed  upon  him,  the  distant  sound  has 
seemed  to  strike  upon  our  ear,  "  Salvation  to  Him  that 
sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever  and 
ever." 

We  subjoin  a  testimony  of  his  uncommon  talents,  the 
influence  of  his  eloquence,  and  the  high  opinion  which 
was  entertained  of  his  character,  as  a  man  and  a  Christian, 
from  a  paper  published,  several  years  since,  in  a  neigh- 
boring city  : — 

"  Our  city  has  lately  been  favored  by  a  visit  from  this 
celebrated  divine,  scholar  and  philanthropist.  The  numer- 
ous crowds  of  the  learned,  polite  and  gay  world,  as  well  as 
of  other  classes,  who  daily  assembled  to  hear  him,  speak 
his  eulogium  stronger  than  the  pen.  All  those  who  have 
had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  him,  or  who  have  enjoyed  the 
delight  of  his  society,  will  heartily  acknowledge  that  he 
is  an  orator  of  high  order  and  towering  genius,  as  well  as  a 
gentleman  of  the  first  accomplishment.  His  elocution  is 
nervous,  attractive,  and  often  sublime.     He  treats  his  sub- 


112  MEMOIR     OF 

jects  with  great  ability  and  argument,  displays  a  vast  extent 
of  knowledge  and  research,  and  adorns  his  sermons  with 
the  beauties  of  poesy,  and  the  imagery  of  nature.  His 
piety  is  as  pure  as  his  mind  is  capacious,  and  he  leads  the 
hearer  through  the  paths  of  rhetoric  with  equal  pleasure 
and  improvement.  He  affectionately  invites  and  encour- 
ages the  sinner  to  leave  the  scenes  of  worldly  pleasure, 
and  seek  repose  in  the  bosom  of  a  merciful  Saviour;  and, 
in  the  sound  of  a  torrent,  warns  him  to  abandon  his 
wicked  pursuits.  Liberal,  enlightened  and  mngnanimous, 
he  feels,  he  prays,  he  entreats  for  all,  and,  like  the  glorious 
king  of  day,  he  enlivens,  warms  and  influences  with  his 
radiance.  But  if  he  is  eminent  in  the  pulpit,  he  is  no  less 
conspicuous  in  the  social  circle  :  easy,  unaffected  and 
dignified,  condescension  makes  him  the  delight  of  the 
parlor. 

"  Possessing  the  vast  stores  of  classic  lore,  the  sacred 
page,  and  modern  literature,  he  is  never  at  a  loss  for  sub- 
jects, abounds  with  anecdotes  and  wit,  unmixed  with  the 
bitterness  of  satire,  and  never  descending  from  the  dignity 
of  his  character.  The  young  and  old,  the  grave  and  gay, 
crowd,  with  equal  pleasure,  around  him,  and  all  are  anx- 
ious 'to  share  the  good  man's  smile.'  His  modesty,! 
meekness  and  humility  are  alike  remarkable.  In  a  word, 
he  may  rank  among  the  highest,  as  a  scholar,  gentleman 
and  Christian." 

His  success  in  preaching  sermons  for  the  purpose  of 
collecting  money  to  aid  in  the  benevolent  objects  of  the 
day,  was  truly  astonishing.  Even  the  miser,  overcome  by 
his  appeals,  could  not  refuse  his  gift.  No  one  can  read 
the  extract  which  follows,  at  the  close  of  a  sermon  upon 
one  of  these  occasions,  without  a  perfect  conviction  that 
he  was  master  of  the  secret  springs  of  human  sympathy, 
and  could  touch  them  at  his  pleasure  : 


I)  U.    S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  \.  1 13 

"  What  more  sliall  I  add,  my  bretluen,  to  excite  your 
liberality  ?  Could  I  take  you  severally  into  some  of  the 
mansions  of  misery  in  our  city,  and  show  you  the  pallet 
where  the  child  of  want  and  sorrow  is  lying,  whose  former 
condition  in  life  makes  the  idea  of  an  alms-house  afflicting, 
and  whose  distresses  are  cheered  only  by  the  hopes  that 
spring  will  bring  better  days,  and  that  Christian  bosoms 
are  not  dead  to  sympathy  1  Could  I  place  before  your 
eyes  the  shivering  infant,  the  starving  grandsire,  the  poor 
widow,  forsaken,  neglected,  forgotten,  or  evrn  the  repent- 
ing, tattered  profligate,  I  know  you  would  melt :  in  spite 
of  all  the  apologies  self-love  might  suggest,  your  charity 
would  abound. 

"  Two  boats,  some  time  ago,  were  sent  out  from  Dover 
to  relieve  a  vessel  in  distress.  The  fury  of  the  tempest 
overset  one  of  them,  which  contained  three  sailors,  and  a 
companion  sunk.  The  two  remaining  sailors  were  floating 
on  the  deep  :  to  one  of  them,  from  the  other  boat,  a  rope 
was  thrown ;  but  he  refused  it,  crying  out,  '  Fling  it  to 
Tom  :  he  is  just  ready  to  go  down;  I  can  last  some  time 
longer.'  They  did  so:  Tom  was  drawn  into  the  boat. 
The  rope  was  then  flung  to  the  generous  tar,  just  in  time 
to  save  him  from  drowning.  Lock  on  the  boisterous  sea 
of  this  world.  You  have  your  conflicts,  we  acknowledge, 
but  there  are  some  who  cannot  lait  like  you.  Throw  out 
immediately  to  their  assistance,  or  it  may  be  too  late. 
Accomplish  now,  what,  I  persuade  myself,  you  thought  of 
yesterday,  during  the  cold  and  heavy  snow-storm.  Come, 
my  brethren,  discharge  your  duty,  adorn  the  gospel,  disap- 
point the  devil,  and  revere  a  present  God  V 

Who  can  read  it,  and  not  feel  I     How,  then,  must  they 
have  felt  who  heard  it  from  his  lips,  and,  from  his  inimita- 
ble manner,  saw  before  them  the  dashing  waves,  the  strug- 
gling sailors,  the  throwing  out  of  the  rope  ;  who  heard,  as 
11 


114  MEMOIU      OF 

from  the  deep  itself,  the  generous  tar  crying,  ^  fling  it  to 
Tom,^  and  with  trembling  anxiety  waited  the  result,  as 
though  they  had,  from  the  shore,  witnessed  the  whole 
scene?  And  then  the  storm  of  the  preceding  day,  when, 
sitting  by  their  comfortable  fire-sides,  and  thinking  of  the 
sufferings  of  the  poor,  at  such  a  season,  an  impression,  I 
believe,  almost  universal  at  such  times,  and  you  may  con- 
ceive that  the  whole  audience  were  ready  to  fly  to  clothe 
the  shivering  infant,  to  feed  the  starving  grandsire,  to  com- 
fort the  neglected,  forsaken  widow,  and  to  encourage  the 
reformation  of  the  tattered  profligate. 

On  occasions  of  this  kind,  the  gentlemen  have  emptied 
their  pockets,  the  ladies  their  purses  :  many  have  thrown 
in  valuable  gold  rings,  and  even  watches  have  been  laid  on 
the  plates  as  they  were  passed  round. 

The  following  beautiful  passage  is  found  in  his 
address  to  General  Lafayette,  delivered  in  the  chapel  of 
the  Columbian  college,  D.  C. : — "  You  have  come.  Sir, 
not  like  ^neas,  driven  to  a  foreign  shore  by  unpropitious 
winds  ;  not  like  Ulysses,  searching  an  absent  son  ;  but 
like  the  good  old  patriarch,  Jacob,  you  have  formed  the 
resolution^  '  I  will  go  down  and  see  my  child,  ere  I  die.'  " 

He  was  frequently  called  in  various  directions,  to  assist 
in  the  constitution  of  new  churches,  and  the  ordination  of 
ministers.  His  charges  to  the  latter  were  always  affection- 
ate, and  practical,  evincing  the  deep  concern  which  he 
felt  for  the  purity  of  the  church,  and  the  success  of  an 
evangelical  ministry. 

His  eulogium,  delivered  on  the  celebrated  Dr.  Rush, 
of  Philadelphia,  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
chaste  productions  that  the  English  language  can  furnish. 
We  will  present  to  our  readers  a  few  extracts  from  it.  His 
commencing  observations,  upon  the  subject  of  eulogy,  are 
striking  and  just : 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  115 

"  It  has  been  no  inconsiderable  part  of  the  wisdom  of 
nations,  by  grateful  monuments,  to  honor  the  memory  of 
men  who  have  promoted  the  public  good.  The  harps  of 
minstrels,  the  chisel  of  the  statuary,  the  pencil  of  the 
artist,  the  bold  designs  of  tlie  architect,  the  votes  of  sen- 
ates, and  the  eloquence  of  orators,  have  been  charged 
with  the  sacred  service.  Eulogy  has,  doubtless,  in  some 
nations  and  instances,  swelled  itself  into  extravagance  and 
crime.  Divine  honors  were  never  the  desert  of  mortals, 
and  to  them  were  never  tendered,  without  an  insult  on  the 
perfections  of  the  infinite  Creator.  And  yet  statesmen 
and  generals,  philosophers  and  physicians,  have  been  dei- 
fied, not  simply  in  the  licentious  effusions  of  the  poet,  but 
by  the  erection  of  temples  and  altars,  the  imposition  of 
victims,  and  the  offering  of  prayers.  With  this  folly 
Socrates  himself  is  chargeable,  who,  a  little  before  his 
dissolution,  enjoined  Crito  to  e.xonerate  him  of  a  vow,  by 
offering  a  cock  to  ^sculapius.  Egypt  was  the  mother, 
and  Greece  and  Rome  the  adopters  of  this  irreverence  to 
the  Supreme. 

"  The  encomiast  has,  moreover,  sometimes  so  degraded 
himself  and  his  office,  as  to  have  ascribed  high  virtues  and 
presented  garlands  of  renown  to  men  whose  career  has 
been  the  curse,  and  whose  decease  the  relief  of  mankind. 
Infamy  itself  has  sometimes  audaciously  bound  on  its 
forehead  the  frontlet  of  honor.  '  Had  we  no  other  histo- 
rian of  the  Roman  emperors/  says  Mr.  Addison,  '  but 
those  we  find  on  their  money,  we  should  take  them  for  the 
most  virtuous  race  of  princes  mankind  were  ever  blessed 
with ;  whereas,  if  we  look  into  their  lives,  they  appear, 
many  of  them,  such  monsters  of  lust  and  cruelty,  as  are 
almost  a  reproach  to  human  nature.  Tiberius,  on  his 
coins,  is  all  mercy  and  moderation  ;  Caligula  and  Nero 
are  the  fathers  of  their  country ;  Galba,  the  patron  of  pub- 


116  MEMOIROF 

lie  liberty  ;  and  Vitellius,  the  restorer  of  the  city  of  Rome. 
In  short,  if  you  have  a  imind  to  see  the  religious  Commo- 
dus,  the  pious  Caracalla,  and  the  devout  Heliogabalus, 
you  may  find  them  in  the  inscription  or  device  of  their 
medals.' 

"  The  abuse  of  panegyric  offers  no  argument  against  its 
propriety  and  usefulness.  Encomiums  may  be  pronounced 
without  derogating  from  the  glory  of  Jehovah.  Counterfeit 
circulation  only  enhances  the  value  of  genuine  coin,  as 
does  a  mischievous  empyricism  the  worth  of  medical  sci- 
ence. Under  the  inspiration  of  his  God,  David  delivered 
his  eulogium  on  the  death  of  Jonathan  and  Saul.  He  de- 
scribes them  as  '  swifter  than  eagles  and  stronger  than 
lions.'  Who  can  be  insensible  to  the  generosity  and  deli- 
cacy of  his  heart,  when  he  exclaims,  '  Ye  daughters  of 
Israel,  weep  over  Saul,  who  clothed  you  in  scarlet  and 
other  delights.  How  are  the  mighty  fallen  in  the  midst  of 
the  battle  !  O,  Jonathan,  thou  wast  slain  in  high  places.  I 
am  distressed  for  thee,  my  brother  Jonathan  ;  very  pleasant 
hast  thou  been  to  me  ! ' 

"  The  frequent  acquaintance,  as  he  drops  the  guileless 
tear  on  the  grave  of  the  amiable  Rush,  shall  involuntarily 
cry,  '  Veri/  pleasant  hast  thou  been  to  me.' 

"  Many  of  the  fathers  of  the  Christian  church,  by  their 
example,  sanction  attempts  to  display  and  immortalize  vir- 
tuous character.  The  funeral  orations  of  Eusebius  on 
Constantine,  of  Nazianzen  on  Basil  and  Coesarius,  and 
those  of  Ambrose  on  Valentinian  and  Theodosius,  with 
others  of  a  similar  nature,  the  world  possesses.  'Great 
men,'  says  Rolin,  '  are  the  property  of  a  republic'  Admit 
they  are  such — a  republic  has  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  dis- 
charge. The  pleasures  of  a  good  conscience,  and  the 
approbation  of  God,  are  paramount  to  all  other  retribution; 
yet  the  citizen,  whose  life  is  consecrated  to  the  good  of  a 


D  R.      ST  AUGHTON.  117 

community,  deduces  an  inexpressible  pleasure  from  the 
hope  tliat  his  memory  after  death  will  be  grateful  to  those 
whom,  while  living,  he  laboriously  served.  When  the 
magistrates  of  Lampascum,  the  place  of  the  residence  of 
Anaximander,  inquired  in  what  way  they  should  honor  his 
name,  his  wish,  alike  modest  and  sentimental,  was,  that 
the  bovs  might  have  leave  to  play  on  the  anniversary  of  his 
decease.  The  mind  that  is  dead  to  the  veneration  of  pos- 
terity scarce  ever  deserves  it.  Eulogy,  the  meed  of  merit, 
is  soothing  to  the  grief  of  surviving  relatives;  it  calls  into 
action  the  most  manly  affections  of  the  heart,  it  gives  tone 
and  fire  to  youthful  ardor,  and  makes  us,  in  spite  of  con- 
scious incapacity  and  indolence,  aspire  to  become  the 
sublime  we  draw.  Suspect  mc  not  of  the  temerity  of  at- 
tempting the  full-length  portrait  of  Dr.  Rush.  I  offer 
only  a  few  outlines,  and  give  shadow  but  to  an  eye  or  a 
hand.  The  thought  consoles  me,  that,  for  near  half  a 
century,  Philadelphia  has  been  contemplating  the  fair  orig- 
inal." 

The  passage  relating  to  his  decease  and  funeral  is  finely 
drawn  : 

"  Tiie  bells,  with  muflled  tongue,  tolled  not  the  tidings 
of  his  death.  He  had  forbidden  them.  He  had  seen,  in 
his  practice,  ill  effects  result  to  his  patients,  from  the  in- 
telligence they  have  conveyed,  and  wished,  as  to  himself, 
that  testimonies  of  personal  respect  should  be  sacrificed  to 
public  good.  Our  friend  is  gone.  No  more  shall  we  hear 
his  luminous  and  oracular  instructions,  in  the  parlor  circle, 
or  from  the  Professor's  chair.  The  eye  of  intelligence 
has  lost  its  brightness.  The  furrowed  cheek  offers  its 
channels  no  longer  to  the  tears  of  sympathy.  The  whitened 
locks  engage  our  reverence  no  more.  Death  has  changed 
the  countenance,  and  the  meek  light  of  wisdom  it  exhib- 
ited has  vanished.  A  minister  of  health,  no  more  shall 
11* 


118  MEMOIR     OF 

we  see  him  rolling  through  our  streets,  in  his  plain  vehicle, 
the  faithful  African  at  his  side.  No  more  shall  he  dispel 
the  gloom  from  the  chambers  of  disease,  hear  the  blessings 
of  convalescents,  or  alleviate  the  struggles  of  expiring  life. 
His  loved  habitation,  the  temples  of  devotion,  welcome  his 
footsteps  no  more. 

"  He  has  lived  for  his  country,  and,  in  a  special  degree, 
citizens  of  Philadelphia,  he  has  Vwed  for  1/02/.  The  con- 
sciousness of  your  loss,  and  your  gratitude  for  his  toils, 
you  have  evinced  by  that  general  sadness  which  over- 
spread the  city,  when  report  announced.  Dr.  Rush  is  dead. 
From  crowded  windows  and  streets,  as  to  the  church-yard 
his  remains  were  borne,  the  countenances  of  thousands 
had,  in  common  with  those  of  the  long  procession  of  di- 
vines, physicians,  philosophers,  merchants  and  tradesmen, 
but  one  expression.  To  have  given  utterance  to  the  uni- 
versal feeling,  you  need  only  have  exclaimed,  our  father, 
our  friend,  is  no  more!" 

The  following  passages  are  offered  without  any  remark. 
They  will  be  felt  by  all  who  read  them  : 

"  In  the  chamber  of  sickness,  the  ease  and  elegance  of 
Dr.  Rush's  manners  always  created  respect,  while  his  un- 
affected sympathy  constrained  age  to  love  him  as  a  brother, 
and  youth  to  rejoice  in  him  as  a  parent.  He  had  always 
at  hand  some  soothing  observations,  derived  from  his  art 
as  a  physician,  or  his  piety  as  a  saint,  to  cheer  the  bosom 
of  his  patient.  The  sufferer  almost  forgot  his  pains,  not 
with  the  horror  which  removes  tooth-ache,  in  the  presence 
of  a  dentist,  but  with  the  pleasure  which  music  supplies, 
while  it  charms  away  the  tarantula's  bite.  He  marked  the 
origin  and  progress  of  the  diseases  of  his  country  with  the 
eye  of  an  eagle,  and  with  the  reflection  of  a  sage.  The 
pestilence,  a  visitation  which  the  page  of  inspiration  sub- 
limely denominates  'death,'  with  'hell,'  or  the  grave,  in  its 


UK.     STAUt;HTON  119 

retinue,  he  endeavored  to  fallow  through  its  dismal  mean- 
dors,  and  has  pointed  you  to  the  ministers  of  heaven — the 
sky,  the  miasm,  the  neglected  dock,  or  unventilated  ship, 
tliat  produced  it.  When  Philadelphia  was  stormed  by  this 
dread  invader,  he  was  not  merely  a  sentinel  at  his  post, 
but  a  general  in  his  ranks.  He  lost  sight  of  his  personal 
exposure  in  his  solicitude  for  the  recovery  of  his  suffering 
fellow-citizens.  His  deliberate  passion  for  the  public  good, 
no  derision  of  his  remedies,  no  misrepresentation  of  his 
principles,  could  exterminate  or  diminish.  He  felt  and 
acted  to  the  wide  extent  of  his  capacity,  as  a  disciple  of 
that  Son  of  Man,  who  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but 
to  save  them. 

"  In  the  chair  of  the  Professor  he  appeared  with  pecu- 
liar advantage.  His  lectures  exhibited  a  system  of  medi- 
cine that  illumined  the  understanding  of  his  pupils,  and 
will  secure  the  investigation,  perhaps  the  universal  ap- 
plause of  posterity.  He  decried  nosology,  only  because 
persuaded  of  its  mischiefs.  He  recommended  system  and 
theory  in  medicine,  because  he  conceived  its  first  princi- 
ples as  really  ascertained,  as  are  those  of  attraction  and 
gravitation,  the  grand  discovery  of  Newton,  in  the  natural 
world  ;  and  because  he  saw  the  practice  his  theory  sug- 
gested expeditiously  and  safely  lessen  the  afflictions  of  de- 
pressed humanity.  It  would  ill-become  me,  and  certainly 
prove  unavailing,  to  state  my  ideas  of  the  system  he 
taught.  The  world,  and  especially  his  country,  have  be- 
come familiar  with  the  terms  he  employs.  He  has  thrown 
open  the  volume  of  his  ideas,  and  cheerfully  left  them  to 
the  perusal  of  time,  who  '  overthrows  the  illusions  of 
opinion,  but  establishes  the  decisions  of  nature.' 

"  We  have  seen  that,  in  his  juvenile  exercises,  the  de- 
ceased discovered  an  attachment  to  oratory  and  belles 
lettres.     This  talent,  ripened,  peculiarly  fitted  him  to  be- 


120  MEMOIR      OP 

come  a  public  lecturer.  He  was  greatly  charmed  with 
the  eloquence  of  Whitfield,  and  has  been  thought,  not- 
withstanding the  compass  of  his  voice  was  more  limited, 
to  have  acquired,  I  suspect  involuntarily,  something  of 
his  emphasis  and  melodious  tone.  He  always  felt  an  in- 
terest in  the  sentiments  he  delivered.  He  was  master  of 
the  stroke  that  could  grave  truth  on  the  memory,  or  throw 
into  vibration  all  the  strings  of  the  heart.  His  last  course 
of  lectures  are  supposed  by  his  class  to  have  been  equal  in 
animation  and  effect  with  any  he  ever  delivered. 

"  I  can  never  forget  the  close  of  his  lecture,  in  the  spring 
of  1812.  I  quote  merely  from  memory  :  '  And  now,  gen- 
tlemen,' said  he,  '  I  bid  you  farewell.  For  the  first  time 
this  season,  I  have  met  you  with  reluctance.  Accept  my 
thanks  for  your  respectful  and  orderly  attention  to  the  doc- 
trines I  have  taught  you.  Happy  should  I  have  been  to 
have  invited  you  frequently,  through  the  winter,  to  my 
family.  I  have  no  doubt  I  should  have  been  edified  and 
pleased  with  your  company,  but  domestic  affliction  has 
prevented  me.'  He  would  have  gone  on,  but  his  counte- 
nance suddenly  reddened,  and  the  big  tears  fell  from  his 
eyes.  The  class  recollected  the  trying  circumstances  of  a 
beloved  son.  Again  he  attempted  to  read — he  could  not; 
his  aged  hand,  raised  insensibly  with  grief,  fell  heavy  on 
the  desk — he  bowed  to  retire.  Some  of  the  class  attempt- 
ed to  express  their  feelings  by  clapping,  but  they  were  not 
able.  The  emotion  was  not  to  be  uttered.  Every  youth- 
ful eye  seemed  to  say,  venerable  father,  '  God  Almighty  he 
thy  supporter  ! ' 

"  A  more  powerful  touch  of  natural,  unpremeditated  and 
penetrating  eloquence  I  never  witnessed.  Let  it  be  re- 
membered, that  Proiessor  Rush  owed  none  of  his  eminence 
to  the  diminutiveness  of  the  talents  of  his  associates.  He 
was  great  in  the  midst  of  greatness.     In  the  medical  de- 


D  K.      ST  A  V  0  U  T  O  N.  121 

partinent  of  a  university,  where  anatomy  was  made  familiar 
by  the  promptness  of  nomenclature,  the  accuracy  of  de- 
nion:Uration,  and  the  charms  of  physiology — where,  in  sur- 
gery, the  lectures  exhibit  an  informing  simplicity,  and  the 
knife  attempts  with  success  every  thing  but  miracles ; 
where  the  materia  medica,  botany  and  natural  history  are 
presented  with  the  attractions  which  reading  and  judgment, 
genius  and  eloquence  supply  ;  where  chemistry  and  the 
remaining  parts  of  a  medical  education  are  taught  with 
correctness,  respectability  and  effect.  Dr.  Rush  maintained 
his  elevation.  Like  a  primal  fixed  star,  amid  the  host  of 
heaven,  he  shone  with  a  lustre  wholly  his  own. 

"  It  is  remarked  by  Bishop  Newton,  that  '  all  persons  of 
any  note  and  eminence  bear  a  double  character  in  the 
world.'  This  is  true  in  relation  to  men  distinguished  in 
medicine.  Fable  itself  intimates  the  thouTht.  Medea  was 
reported  to  have  boiled  men  alive,  because  she  first  recom- 
mended warm  bathing. 

"  The  success  of  yEsculapius  in  healing  disease  is  de- 
scribed as  a  crime  sufficient  to  have  incurred  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  gods.  But,  dismissing  fable,  Herophilus,  who 
first  practised  the  anatomical  knife,  is  called  by  Tertullian 
'  mcdicus  aut  lanius.'  Galen,  on  a  visit  to  Rome,  was 
stigmatized  as  a  'theorist  and  magician.'  Sydenham  was 
charged  with  murdering  his  patients  by  repeated  and  plen- 
tiful blood-letting,  and  Harvey,  for  discovering  the  circula- 
tion of  the  blood,  lost  his  reputation  and  practice.  To  state 
that  Dr.  Rush  met  with  opposition  and  persecution,  is  to 
place  him  on  the  roll  of  his  great  predecessors.  Had  he 
been  less  eminent  or  laborious,  he  had  suflfered  less. 

"  His  troubles  were  counterbalanced  with  public  tokens 
of  respect.  In  1793,  in  testimony  of  his  important  services 
during  the  yellow  fever,  the  Board  of  Health  presented  him 
an  elegant  piece  of  plate,  with  an  appropriate  inscription. 


123  MEMOIR     OF 

In  1805,  he  was  addressed  to  answer  certain  queries  which 
the  Russian  government  had  ordered  to  be  made  on  the 
subject  of  yellow  fever;  as  a  return,  he  received  from  the 
King  a  coronation  medal.  The  thanks  of  the  King  of 
Spain  in  1806,  were  tendered  him  for  his  answer  to  some 
queries  on  the  subject  of  the  same  disease.  In  1807,  from 
the  Queen  of  Etruria,  a  tribute  to  his  talents,  he  received 
a  gold  medal.  During  the  same  year  he  became  a  member 
of  the  National  Institute,  Class  of  Fine  Arts,  at  Paris,  and 
the  year  following  a  member  of  the  Society  of  the  School 
of  Physic  there.  In  1811,  he  received  a  diamond  ring 
from  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  as  a  compliment  to  his  medi- 
cal character.  While  distinguished  by  these  honors  from 
abroad,  at  home  he  enjoyed  the  respect  and  love  of  thous- 
ands. 

"  In  the  temples  of  ^sculapius,  tablets  were  hung  up 
recording  the  diseases  which  his  skill  and  genius  had  cured. 
Look  up — behold  the  tablet  containing  the  cures  of  the 
great  Philadelphia  physician. 

"  Read  the  testimony  of  a  youth  : 

'  'Twas  in  the  circle  of  the  gay  I  stood, 

Death  would  have  entered  !   Nature  pushed  him  back, 

Supported  by  a  Doctor  of  renown  : 

His  point  he  gained.' 

"  See  next  the  record  of  the  poet  : 

'  How  late  I  shuddered  on  tb°  brink  of  fate! 
That  time  is  mine,  O  Rusli  !  to  thee  I  owe, 
Fain  would  I  pay  thee  with  c'^niUj.' 

"  Here  is  the  gratitude  of  age  and  weakness  : 

'  Alive  by  miracle  I  or  what  is  next, 

Alive  by  Rush  !  if  I  am  still  alive, 

Who  long  have  buried  what  gives  life  to  live  : 

Firmness  of  nerve  and  energy  of  thought.' 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  123 

"  Another Ijut   tlie   record   is  too   long.      It  is  a 

record  of  nearly  fifty  years,  and  of  thousands  of  cases  ;  we 
cannot  go  through  it.  The  names  of  many  of  you  are 
there — mine  is  there. 

*'  Above  his  eminence  as  a  physician,  rises  his  character 
as  a  christian.  It  is  observed  by  Dr.  Lardner,  that  Galen 
has  twice  mentioned  the  name  of  Christ  in  his  Treatise  on 
the  Pulses;  but  how  oft  is  this  venerable  name  mentioned, 
referred  to,  and  magnified  in  the  publications  of  Dr.  Rush. 
Convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  scriptures,  he  endeavored  to 
give  them  circulation.  His  defence  of  the  use  of  the  Bible 
as  a  scliool-book,  ])ublished  at  a  time  when  infidelity  was 
preparing  to  condemn  it  to  the  flames,  has  been  of  singular 
benefit  to  his  country.  He  was  one  of  the  first  movers  of 
the  Bible  Society  of  Philadelphia,  drafted  its  constitution, 
and  continued  a  vice-president  until  death.  Aware  of  the 
sublime  beauties  recorded  in  the  Bible,  he  made  such  judi- 
cious selections,  and  olTered  such  ingenious  and  pious  ex- 
positions as  imparted  to  all  his  friends  information  and 
delight.  His  lectures  acquired  riches  from  the  mines  of 
inspiration,  which  never  could  have  been  collected  from 
any  other  source.  It  is  not  surprising  that  his  touches  are 
found  so  exquisitely  fine,  he  dipped  his  pencil  in  the  colors 
of  heaven.  Permit  me  to  give  you  an  example  of  his 
familiar  and  devotional  habit  of  illustrating  the  scripture. 
In  Psalms  :J :  5,  the  prophet  says,  '  I  laid  me  down  and 
slept,  I  awoke,  for  the  Lord  sustained  me.'  '  I  laid  me 
down,'  says  our  expositor,  '  what  thousands  the  last  night, 
from  afiliction,  could  not  lie  down  ;'  'I  slept,'  what  thous- 
ands have  been  strangers  to  sleep  ;  '  I  awoke,'  how  many 
have  slept  to  awake  no  more.  I  owe  my  safety  to  this, 
'  thou  Lord,  sustained  me.'  I  could  give  you  many  of  the 
interpretations  of  the  sacred  word  which  I  have  heard  him 
give,  equally  affecting  and  devout  with  the  specimen  I  have 


124  MEMOIR      OF 

adduced.  The  Doctor  had  intended,  as  an  employment  in 
life's  decline,  to  have  published  a  work  which  he  meant  to 
have  called,  if  my  memory  be  correct,  '  the  Medicine  of  the 
Bible.'  He  had  read  and  was  justly  dissatisfied  with  Dr. 
Richard  Mead's  Medicina  Sacra.  He  saw  its  tendency  to 
diminish  respect  for  the  sacred  volume,  and  lamented  it. 
For  his  work  the  Doctor  had  made  considerable  prepara- 
tion ;  but  his  notes  are  too  short  for  any  one  but  himself  to 
have  completed.  He  intended  to  have  shewn  where  cures 
are  effected  by  natural  means,  and  where  miracle  must  be 
admitted ;  and  to  have  demonstrated  how  much  biblical 
physic  harmonizes  with  the  most  useful  and  correct  ideas 
of  modern  physicians.  On  his  death-bed  he  expressed  his 
reoret  that  the  work  must  fall.  The  world  and  the  church 
of  God  have  to  lament  that  the  noble  design  has  failed. 
Equal  talents  and  reading  for  such  a  production  will  not 
easily  be  found.  I  have  the  happiness  to  present  to  you  a 
specimen  of  its  intended  nature,  from  a  letter  with  which 
the  Doctor  honored  me,  dated  May  5,  1804.  The  follow- 
ing is  an  extract : 

"  New  matter  presses  upon  me  every  day  I  open  the 
Bible.  In  reading  the  book  of  Nehemiah,  a  few  days  ago, 
I  was  struck  with  the  following  passage  :  '  Yea,  forty  years 
didst  thou  sustain  them  in  the  wilderness,  so  that  they 
lacked  nothing;  their  clothes  waxed  not  old,  and  their  feet 
swelled  not.'  Long  or  distant  walking  always  produces 
more  or  less  swelling  in  the  feet.  It  was  universal  in  the 
American  army  during  the  revolutionary  war,  when  new 
troops  were  marched  to  the  camp.  Bruce  tells  us  his  feet 
were  not  only  swelled,  but  ulcerated,  in  consequence  of 
marching  over  the  sands  of  Nubia.  The  exemption  of  the 
Israelites  from  swelled  feet,  over  a  mountainous  and  often 
a  stony  wilderness,  was,  of  course,  as  much  a  miracle  as 
their  clothes  not  waxing  old."      "I   shall   trespass  upon 


DR.      S  T  A  L'  G  H  T  O  N.  125 

your  time,"  he  adds,  "  wliile  I  mention  one  more  idea 
that  has  lately  been  suggested  to  me  in  reading  the  Old 
Testament. 

"The  sight  of  the  brazen  serpent  curing  a  disease 
brought  on  by  the  bite  of  a  living  serpent,  which  the  former 
was  made  to  resemble,  is  contrary  to  all  the  laws  of  asso- 
ciation which  regulate  the  feelings  of  the  human  mind,  as 
far  as  they  relate  to  health  and  pleasure.  It  ought  rather 
to  have  increased  the  disease  it  was  prescribed  to  cure. 
Does  not  this  suggest  the  influence  of  the  cross  upon  the 
minds  of  men,  to  be  contrary  to  all  the  natural  and  habit- 
ual dispositions  of  the  human  heart?  What  but  divine 
wisdom,  could  have  made  the  sight  of  a  cross  produce  love, 
or  a  dead  body  produce  life  I  No  wonder  this  miraculous 
process  for  curing  the  moral  disorders  of  our  world,  ap- 
peared to  he  foolishness  to  the  wisest  nation  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth." 

He  subjoins,  "I  am  encouraged  to  proceed  in  my  in- 
quiries, by  recollecting  a  speech  made  to  me  by  the  late 
Rev.  Mr.  Marshall,  of  this  city,  on  his  death-bed.  To  a 
complaint  I  made  of  the  unprofitable  issue  of  my  public 
labors,  he  replied,  'Don't  be  discouraged,  my  dear  friend, 
l)y  the  want  of  success  in  your  attempts  to  do  good.  Re- 
member the  Saviour  of  the  world  will  say  to  his  followers 
at  the  day  of  judgment,  not  well  done  thou  successful,  but 
thou  FAITHFUL  Servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.'  " 

The  conclusion  furnishes  a  happy  specimen  of  his  usual 
skill  in  finishing  a  discourse. 

"  Where  shall  I  close  the  detail !  His  task  is  done.  He 
has  bidden  us  adieu.  He  has  ascended  to  receive  the 
blessing,  even  life  forever  more."  His  sons  have  caught 
his  mantle ! 


12 


126  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

"  Gentlemen,  the  Graduates  and  Students  in  Medicine,  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania  : 

"  I  respectfully  beg  of  you,  to  copy  your  bright  exarnpler. 
Imitate  his  habits  of  punctuality,  his  suavity  of  manners, 
his  accuracy  of  observation,  his  unwearied  perseverance. 
He  saw  v/ith  Hippocrates  a  physician's  embarrassments, 
vita  hrevisars  longa,  occasio  celeris,  experimentum  lubricum, 
judicium  difficile;  but  he  has  left  you  an  example,  how  much 
can  be  effected  by  patient  labor.  Read  his  three  essays 
addressed  to  gentlemen,  entitled  Sermons  on  Temperance 
and  Exercise.  You  all  loved  him.  May  you  imitate  him 
in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  benevolence  to  men,  that  when 
you  die,  a  grateful  public  may  bedew  your  memory  with 
tears,  such  as  have  been  shed  at  your  instructer's  grave. 

"  When  the  melancholy  intelligence  arrived,  that  the 
hero  and  father  of  our  country  was  no  more,  I  remember 
to  have  heard  an  officer,  as  he  dropt  the  honest  tear,  ex- 
claim, 'Well,  I  rejoice  I  have  been  a  soldier  under  Wash- 
ington.' With  a  like  sensibility  methinks  I  hear  each  of 
you  utter,  what  you  will  often  repeat,  '  I  rejoice  I  have  been 
a  pupil  under  Rush.'  " 

A  very  short  time  before  the  decease  of  Dr.  Rush,  he 
called  upon  Dr.  Staughton,  and  observed,  "  my  errand  to 
you  this  morning,  sir,  is  to  say,  the  good  you  are  doing  in 
this  city  you  will  never  know  in  this  world,  particularly 
among  medical  students.  The  influence  of  your  preach- 
ing among  this  class  has  fallen  under  my  observation." 
He  concluded  by  saying,  what  thou  art  doing,  "thou 
knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter." 

Those  who  have  not  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  and 
feeling  the  power  of  his  eloquence,  and  who  are  aware  of 
the  connexion  which  the  writer  of  the  Memoir  sustains  to 
his  family,  may  be  ready  to  conclude,  that  the  description 
is  too  highly  wrought,  and  that  peculiar  partiality  to  the 


UK.      S  T  A  L  (j  il  T  O  N.  127 

deceased  may  have  induced  the  sketcli ;  but  those  who 
have  participated  in  the  rich  effusions  of  his  pulpit  exhibi- 
tions will  be  perfectly  satisfied  that  the  description  falls  far 
below  the  truth.  All  who  have  ever  heard  him,  are  aware 
of  the  impossibility  of  committing  to  paper,  the  rich,  and 
powerful  strains  of  his  eloquence. 

I  have  now  before  me  a  work,  written  by  a  gentleman  of 
South  Carolina,  in  which  he  has  given  a  vivid,  and,  to  a 
certain  extent,  an  accurate  sketch  of  the  Doctor's  pulpit 
eloquence.  He  observes :  "  Dr.  Staughton  is  about  the 
ordinary  heiofht  of  men  ;  very  broad  across  the  shoulders. 
He  has  a  full  expansive  chest,  that  will  always  ensure  him 
against  the  ravages  of  phthisis  pulmonalis,  and  is  rather 
thickly  set  than  otherwise.  His  countenance  is  not  uncom- 
monly expressive  or  peculiar.  His  eyes  emit  no  ray  of 
genius,  and  the  color  verges  to  dulness.  But  there  is  a 
grace  in  all  his  movements.  Not  a  single  gesture  or  atti- 
tude fails  of  the  fullest  effect.  His  voice  is  now  soft  as  the 
balmy  breath  of  spring ;  and  again  its  tones  imitate  the 
loud  spirit-stirring  blast  of  rudest  winter. 

"  He  excels  every  speaker  I  ever  heard,  in  the  quickness 
and  felicity  with  which  he  modulates  the  tones  of  his  voice 
to  the  meaning  and  spirit  of  his  words.  His  manner  en- 
forces the  idea  of  the  author  with  signal  success.  How 
often  has  an  audience  listened  to  this  eloquent  hymn  of 
Watts  without  emotion  ;  but  when  the  Doctor's  voice,  re- 
peating the  first  line  of  the  first  verse  is  heard,  every  idle 
thought  vanishes,  and  the  stillness  of  death  is  heard  around. 
'  I  send  the  joys  of  earth  aicay.' 

Such  is  the  effect  that  we  seemingly  behold  the  winged 
joys  of  the  earth  about  to  retire  from  the  sight,  and  we 
feel  a  mingled  sensation  of  satisfaction  and  regret  ;  but 
when  we  hear  him  repeat, 

'Away,  ye  tempters  of  th;;  uiiiul," 


128  MEMOIR      OF 

the  sensation  of  regret  dissolves,  and  we  loathe  the  tempters, 
lovely  and  beautiful  as  they  are.  Here  the  tone  and  gesture 
of  the  orator,  imprint  on  the  mind  the  idea  of  each  laughing 
joy  and  fascinating  pleasure  being  hastily  expelled  the  sacred 
soil  of  the  mind,  which  they  had  too  long  polluted.  Lest 
our  attachments  should  linger  around  them  as  harmless  and 
innocent,  he  tells  us,  with  a  voice,  like  the  soft  stillness  of 
silent  waters,  that  they  are 

'False  as  the  smooth  deceitful  sea.' 

We  now  deem  each  pleasure  to  be  a  siren,  ready  to  seduce 
us  from  holiness ;  when  the  voice  of  the  orator  in  a  tone 
like  the  sound  of  jarring  elements,  declares  it  to  be 

'Empty  as  the  lohistling  wind.' 

Whoever  has  heard  this  hymn  recited  by  the  Doctor,  will 
surely  remember  the  eloquent  action  of  the  orator ;  and  if 
he  fail  to  remember  it,  it  is  only  because  the  pleasures  of 
the  mind  occupy  no  green  spot  in  the  bowers  of  his  memory. 
"  The  adaptation  of  the  sound  to  the  sense,  with  such 
exquisite  skill,  may,  in  the  opinion  of  some  good  persons, 
who  are,  in  the  language  of  Addison,  '  pious  to  a  fault,' 
savor  too  strongly  of  theatrical  action  ;  and  consequently 
incur  their  partial  condemnation.  Of  such  it  may  be  in- 
quired, what  is  the  end  of  public  speaking?  Is  it  not  to 
convince,  to  encourage,  to  warn,  to  inspire?  And  that 
eloquence  which  can  convince  the  wavering,  encourage  the 
diffident,  warn  the  rashly  resolute,  and  inspire  the  good, 
with  the  greatest  force,  and  with  the  most  remarkable 
effect,  the  eloquence  whether  of  action  or  idea,  that  can 
accomplish  this,  is  the  highest  and  most  heavenly. 

"  It  will  be  inquired,  does  the  eloquence  of  Doctor 
Staughton  possess  this  irradiating  power,  this  divine  efflu- 
ence?   It  undoubtedly  possesses  it  in  an  eminent  degree.    It 


I)  K.      S  T  A  V  i.  H  T  O  X.  129 

absorbs  the  attention  of  the  various  gradations  of  an  audience 
more  intensely  tlian  tlie  eloquence  of  any  learned  orator  to 
whom  I  have  listened.  Although  the  theme  of  his  discourse 
be  elevated  far  above  the  ken  of  an  ordinary  audience,  yet 
the  expressive  modulations  of  his  voice,  his  attitudes,  his 
gestures,  and  repeated  bursts  of  illustrative  eloquence,  com- 
mand the  attention  and  quicken  the  feelings  of  his  audience. 
I  once  heard  him  deliver  a  sermon,  the  subject  of  which 
was  a  comparison  instituted  between  the  heathen  mythology 
and  the  Christian  system ;  a  common  audience  is  alike 
ignorant  of  the  philosophy  of  either  ;  vet  such  was  his  im- 
pressive action,  that  when  he  was  declaiming,  with  great 
pathos,  on  the  impossibility  of  deriving  consolation  for  the 
wounded  spirit  from  the  pages  of  a  heathen  poet,  a  female 
in  the  gallery  was  overpowered  by  the  fulness  of  her  feel- 
ings, and  fell  into  a  swoon. 

"  The  great  excellence  of  the  Doctor  consists  in  the  fer- 
tility of  his  imagination,  the  rich  and  splendid  fulness  of 
his  periods,  the  classic  purity  of  his  language,  a  most  har- 
monious voice,  and  the  most  impressive  action.  With 
these  acquirements — for  nature  can  bestow  no  such  gifts, 
he  has  obtained  a  reputation  for  eloquence,  which  might 
satisfy  the  proudest  aspirant;  and  which  will  be  held  in 
pleasing  recollection,  long  after  its  venerable  author  shall 
have  retired  from  the  busy  scenes  of  mortal  existence." 

In  addition  to  what  this  writer  has  said,  I  would  observe, 
that  Dr.  Staughton  rarely,  if  ever,  wrote  out  a  discourse, 
unless  it  was  designed  for  publication.  He  employed  notes 
generally  in  the  pulpit,  but  they  were  very  short;  and  not 
unfrequently  he  entirely  departed  from  the  range  of  his 
preparation. 

His  expositions  of  the  Old  Testament  on  Lord's  day 
morning,  which  occupied  him  for  many  years,  were  among 
the  most  brilliant  efforts  of  his  genius.  It  might  be  sup« 
1"2* 


130  MEMOIR      OF 

posed  that  every  well-turned  and  finely  polished  period  of 
these  discourses,  had  been  weighed  in  the  balances  of  the 
closet.  But  this  was  not  the  fact.  He  had  not  time  to 
devote  to  this  labor.  Much  of  the  brightest  drapery  that 
was  thrown  around  his  thoughts,  was  the  result  of  a  soul 
kindling  with  love  to  God,  and  on  fire  for  the  salvation  of 
sinners.  His  soul  flowed  out  with  the  simplicity  and  ardor 
of  a  child.  Its  breathing  thoughts  rolled  on  with  unex- 
ampled majesty,  and  "  words  that  burn,"  yes,  fresh  from 
the  altar  of  his  heart,  chained  down,  subdued,  enraptured 
every  mind. 

His  published  discourses  can  never  furnish  a  test  of  his 
power  in  the  pulpit ;  yet,  to  a  certain  extent,  the  reader 
will  perceive  the  effect  they  must  have  produced.  A  few 
more  specimens  of  his  printed  sermons  are  presented  to  the 
attention  of  the  public.  Mr.  Adams  and  Mr.  Jefferson, 
ex-presidents,  both  departed  this  life  on  the  same  day,  and 
that  the  jubilee  of  our  independence.  Dr.  Staughton  was 
requested,  through  a  committee,  appointed  at  town-meetings 
in  the  city  of  Washington,  to  deliver  a  funeral  sermon  in 
honor  of  the  memory  of  those  deceased  patriots  and  states- 
men. On  the  sixteenth  of  the  same  month,  at  the  capitol, 
the  sermon  was  delivered,  founded  on  the  appropriate  pas- 
sage, "Lovely  and  pleasant  were  they  in  their  lives,  in 
their  deaths  they  were  not  divided  ;  they  were  swifter  than 
eagles,  they  were  stronger  than  lions." 

The  exordium  is  remarkably  fine,  and  in  the  best  style 
of  the  author. 

"No ordinary  circumstances  have  induced  us  to  assemble 
in  our  capitol  this  morning.  Death  may  glory  in  the  spoils, 
which  on  the  fourth  of  the  present  month  he  acquired  ; 
but,  there  is  a  political  as  well  as  an  evangelic  import  in 
the  triumph.  '  Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory.'  Twelve 
millions  of  our  citizens  have  received,  or  are  receiving,  the 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  U  T  O  N.  131 

intelligence  that  two  of  the  greatest  statesmen  the  world 
ever  knew,  died  both  'on  the  same  day,'  and  tliat  was  the 
day  on  which  the  trumpet  of  our  jubilee  was  sounding. 
This  interesting  fact  will  become  incorporated  with  the 
history  of  our  Union,  and  excite  the  astonishment  of  future 
ages.  It  would  seem,  by  this  unparalleled  providence,  as 
if  Jehovah  were  saying  to  the  American,  as  to  the  Hebrew 
nation,  '  Ye  shall  hallow  the  fiftieth  year.' 

"  To  recommend  the  virtues,  and  propose  the  examples, 
of  the  illustrious  dead,  was  the  constant  practice  of  the 
ancient  Egyptians,  of  the  Greeks,  and  of  the  Romans, 
The  primitive  fathers  of  the  Christian  church  adopted  the 
measure,  and  it  appears,  at  an  early  period,  to  have  been 
in  use  among  the  pious  Jews.  The  passage  we  have  read, 
as  the  basis  of  our  morning's  meditations,  is  selected  from 
the  first  formal  elegy  which  the  volume  of  revelation  con- 
tains. The  occasion  was  exceedingly  calamitous.  '  The 
Philistines,'  the  hereditary  and  inexorable  enemies  of  Israel, 
'  fought  against'  them.  '  The  men  of  Israel  fled  from  be- 
fore the  Philistines,  and  fell  down  slain  in  Mount  Gilboa. 
And  the  Philistines  followed  hard  upon  Saul  and  upon  his 
sons  ;  and  the  Philistines  slew  Jonathan  and  Abinadab  and 
Melchishua,  Saul's  sons.'  Wounded  sorely  by  the  archers, 
Saul  requested  his  armor-bearer  to  slay  him,  but  he  would 
not,  on  which  '  Saul  took  a  sword  and  fell  upon  it.'  His 
faithful  armor-bearer  imitated  the  melancholy  example  of 
his  master,  for  '  he  fell  likewise  upon  his  sword  and  died 
with  him.' 

"  On  receiving  the  intelligence,  in  a  strain  of  peculiar 
beauty,  which  no  translation  can  fully  convey,  David  re- 
quests that  the  melancholy  disclosure  should  not  be  made 
in  Gath  or  Askelon,  '  lest  the  daughters  of  the  Philistines 
rejoice;  lest  the  daughters  of  the  uncircumcised  triumph.' 
He  asks,  that  on  the  degraded  mountains  of  Gilboa,  no  dew 


132  MEMOIR      OF 

nor  rain  may  descend, — no  fields  of  offering  may  be  seen. 
He  directs  the  daughters  of  Israel  to  weep,  exclaiming 
thrice  in  the  course  of  his  short,  but  beautiful  effusion, 
'  How  are  the  mighty  fallen.  Saul  and  Jonathan  were 
lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death  they 
were  not  divided  ;  they  were  swifter  than  eagles,  they  were 
stronger  than  lions.' 

"  Far  different,  indeed,  was  the  dissolution  of  the  eminent 
statesmen,  whose  loss  we  are  convened,  this  day,  to  im- 
prove. They  expired  on  their  couches,  surrounded  with 
those  gentle  and  solicitous  attentions,  which  filial  affection 
and  faithful  friendship  could  supply.  When  the  chief 
magistrate  of  our  country  heard  of  the  deep  affliction  of 
his  beloved  parent,  he  hastened,  with  all  rapidity,  that  he 
might,  like  Joseph  in  reference  to  Jacob,  pay  the  last  trib- 
ute of  filial  affection — but,  he  could  not  command  the 
chariot  of  the  lightning,  or  the  wing  of  the  whirlwind.  He 
arrived  too  late  ;  not  indeed  to  receive  a  father's  blessing, 
for  that  had  been  already  bequeathed. 

"  But  if  in  nothing  else,  the  slaughtered  heroes  of  Israel 
and  the  deceased  patriots  of  America  can  be  found  to  cor- 
respond, in  this  they  resemble  each  other :  '  Lovely  and 
pleasant  were  they  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death  they 
were  not  divided.'  " 

In  exhibiting  that  lovely  and  pleasant  tenor  of  conduct 
for  which  these  deceased  patriots  were  distinguished,  and 
which  it  becomes  all  men,  especially  such  as  are  moving 
in  the  higher  circles  of  life,  to  maintain,  some  brilliant 
passages  occur  : 

"  When  man  is  a  little  elevated  above  his  fellow-man,  his 
heart  too  frequently  becomes  turgid  ;  he  seems  almost  to 
have  forgotten  that  his  origin  is  dust,  and  his  elevation 
vapor.  But,  oh,  there  is  an  unutterable  charm  in  that 
merit,  that  power,  that  station,    that  influence,   that  noble- 


DR.      STALUHTON.  133 

ness  of  intellect  which  reverences  the  precept,  •  mind  not 
high  things,  but  condescend  to  men  of  low  estate.'  I 
venerate  that  greatness  which,  while  it  stands  like  a  tower- 
ing mountain  on  the  margin  of  the  ocean,  finds  its  chief 
delight  in  the  idea,  that  it  can  serve  as  a  director  to  the 
mariner  in  distress;  that  greatness  which,  though  it  shines 
like  the  sun,  rejoices  not  in  its  own  splendor,  but  in  the 
kind  influences  it  communicates.  How  much  an  unas- 
suming temper  governed  the  lives  of  our  deceased  friends, 
let  the  easy  and  unceremonious  hospitality  of  Quincy  and 
Mouticello  testify. 

"  But  to  impart  to  moral  excellence  its  full  and  real 
character,  we  are  taught,  in  the  divine  word,  that  '  the 
washing  of  regeneration  and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,'  are  indispensable.  The  highest  motives  to  every 
good  word  and  work  are  to  be  deduced  from  the  history  of 
holy  men  of  God,  and  especially  from  the  character  of  the 
Lord  Jesus — from  the  ofiices  which  he  sustains,  and  from 
the  example  which  he  has  left. 

"  Nothing  conduces  so  effectually  to  wither  the  energies, 
and  destroy  the  usefulness  of  man,  as  habits  of  vice. 
When  the  Israelites  sinned  against  Jehovah,  *  the  hearts 
of  the  people  melted,  and  became  as  water.'  This  idea 
is  forcibly  exhibited  in  the  writings  of  Moses.  '  Upon 
them  that  are  left  alive  of  you,  I  will  send  a  faintness  into 
their  hearts  in  the  lands  of  their  enemies ;  and  the  sound 
of  a  shaken  leaf  shall  chase  them  ;  and  they  shall  flee  as 
fleeing  from  a  sword;  and  they  shall  fall  when  no  man  pur- 
sueth.'  The  history  of  such  unprincipled  despots  as  Herod 
and  Nero  illustrate  the  fact.  On  the  contrary,  virtue  pro- 
duces an  intrepidity,  beyond  what  was  ever  felt  by  the  arm 
of  the  warrior.  It  is  this  which  makes  men  sicifter  than 
eagles,  stronger  than  lions.  A  heathen  could  say  of  a  man, 
righteous  and  tenacious  of  honorable  purposes,  that  not  the 


134  -         M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

ardor  of  citizens  commanding  injustice,  not  the  features 
of  a  pressing  tyrant,  can  affect  him.  Were  the  world, 
shattered  into  pieces,  to  fall,  its  fragments  would  strike 
him  undismayed.  The  volume  of  inspiration  abounds  with 
examples  of  this  moral  courage.  Moses  led  out  the  op- 
pressed Israelites  from  Egypt,  not  fearing  the  wrath  of  the 
King.  To  the  request  offered  to  Nehemiah  to  secrete  him- 
self from  the  plots  of  his  adversaries,  he  replied,  '  Should 
such  a  man  as  I  flee,  and  who  is  there  that  being  as  I  am, 
would  go  into  the  temple  to  save  his  life  ?  I  will  not  go  in.' 
'  In  the  Lord,'  said  David,  '  put  I  my  trust ;  how  say  ye  to 
my  soul,  flee  as  a  bird  to  your  mountain.' 

"  Instead  of  confirming  this  sentiment  by  selections  from 
ancient  history,  I  will  refer  you  to  one  circumstance  in  our 
own.  A  body  of  wiser  and  more  virtuous  men  were  never 
collected  than  those  which  composed  our  first  Congress. 
They  were  raised  up  by  Heaven  for  the  especial  purpose 
of  emancipating  the  colonies ;  but  their  panoply  was  their 
rectitude.  Mailed  in  this,  they  could  smile  at  the  menaces 
of  indignant  royalty, — at  the  stratagems  of  disappointed 
politicians, — at  the  clangor  of  furious  arms, — at  the  prospect 
of  an  opening  grave.  See  the  committee,  of  whom  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson and  Mr.  Adams  were  prominent  members,  present  to 
their  fellow-patriots  the  immortal  instrument,  which  deter- 
mined the  independence  of  these  States.  On  every  counte- 
nance sit  calmness,  dignity,  decision,  courage  ;  because 
every  bosom  is  under  the  sway  of  moral  pre-eminence.  Look 
at  the  boldness  of  the  signatures,  fac-similes  of  which  are 
spread  through  our  Union,  and  through  the  world.  If  in 
one  instance  paralysis  forbade  the  dash,  that  the  love  of 
country  would  have  given,  it  should  be  remembered  that 
the  rock  is  unshaken,  though  the  aspen  tremble  on  its 
side." 

From  the  text  he  drew  the  observation,  that  the  dissolu- 


on.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  13.> 

tion  of  man  is  sometimes  marked  uith  circumstances  of 
unusual  interest.     He  observed  : 

"  In  general,  men  die  because  of  the  irruptions  of  dis- 
ease, the  special  visitations  of  Heaven,  the  desolations  of 
ambition,  or  the  increase  of  years.  Sometimes,  however, 
the  dissolution  of  man  is  marked  with  circumstances  of 
peculiar  interest.  In  some  cases,  death  approaches  with 
tlie  slowness  of  vegetable  decay  ;  in  others,  with  the  sud- 
denness of  the  lightning's  flash.  Sometimes  dying  is  as 
excruciating  as  suspension  on  the  rack  ;  sometimes  easy  as 
the  softest  slumbers  of  infancy.  But  our  text  refers  more 
peculiarly  to  coincidence  of  period.  '  In  their  death, 
they  were  not  divided.'  The  blood  of  the  father  and  the 
son,  on  the  same  day,  and  in  the  same  conflict,  irrigated 
the  same  hapless  mountain.  Yet  correspondences  of  this 
character  are  by  no  means  uncommon.  Disasters  may  be 
expected  to  be  mutual,  where  dangers  are  so.  But,  in  the 
circumstances  of  the  decease  of  Mr.  Jefferson  and  Mr. 
Adams,  our  whole  nation  discovers  a  concurrence,  at 
which  she  stands  astonished.  She  weeps,  she  adores — 
fain  would  slie  interpret,  but  she  knows  not  how.  She 
ri.ses,  and  borrowing  her  language  from  the  skies,  exclaims, 
*  Great  and  marvellous  are  thy  works.  Lord  God  Almighty  ; 
just  and  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints.  Who  shall 
not  fear  thee,  O  Lord,  and  glorify  thy  name.' 

"  Nations  have  gratified  tliemselves  in  fixing  on  synchro- 
nous events.  The  Macedonians  regarded  it  as  something 
singular  and  impressive,  that  Alexander  the  Great  should 
have  been  born  on  the  very  night  that  the  magnificent 
temple  of  Ephesus  was  burned  to  the  ground.  It  was  the 
boast  of  the  Grecians,  that,  according  to  the  testimony  of 
Herodotus,  the  grand  victory  of  Salamin  was  achieved  on 
the  same  day  on  which  the  tremendous  army  of  the  Car- 
thagenians,  consisting  of  three  hundred  thousand  men,  was 


13G  MEMOIR      OF 

totally  defeated  by  Gelon.  The  English  regard  the  cir- 
cumstances as  most  impressing,  that  the  Spanish  invasion 
was  frustrated  in  1588,  and  that  in  1688,  the  Revolution 
was  effected,  and  William  ascended  the  throne  ;  and,  also, 
that  on  November  the  5th,  the  gunpowder  plot  was  detect- 
ed, and  on  November  the  5th  this  hero  landed  on  the  Brit- 
ish shores.  One  of  their  divinest  bards,  referring  to  these 
propitious  occurrences,  says — 

'  The  happy  day  and  happy  year 

Both  in  one  new  salvation  meet; 
The  day  that  quenched  the  burning  snare. 

The  year  that  burnt  the  invading  fleet.' 

"  I  could  multiply  citations  of  this  description,  but  they 
are  unnecessary ;  and  the  more  so,  because  they  are  not 
infrequent.  But,  O,  what  a  scene  presses  on  the  vision  of 
every  American.  Here  are  two  great  men,  not  great,  in- 
deed, as  was  Washington  on  the  embattled  field  ;  this  was 
not  the  element  in  which  the  God  of  nations  had  destined 
them  to  move  ;  but  great,  like  him,  in  the  council-chamber 
and  in  the  Senate.  Here  are  two  great  men,  profound  in 
learning,  powerful  in  intellect,  self-consecrated  to  their 
country  ;  the  one  the  elegant  and  forceful  writer,  the  other 
the  judicious  and  invincible  defender  of  our  charter  of  In- 
dependence. Here  are  two  great  men,  both  elevated  to  the 
successive  Presidency  of  these  rising  States,  and  both  re- 
tiring into  every  thing  that  is  'lovely  and  pleasant'  in 
private  life,  as  the  waters  of  the  immense  lakes  and  sub- 
lime cataract  of  the  northern  bounds  of  our  country  sink 
into  the  humble  stream  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  But  they 
die — be  astonished,  O,  earth !  they  die — on  the  very  day 
that  consummated  the  jubilee  of  America's  freedom  ;  one 
at  the  hour  at  which  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
presented  to  Congress,  the  other  at  the  hour  at  which  it 


DR.      STAUGIITON.  137 

was  announced  to  the  people.  Search  the  histories  of  the 
world,  from  the  days  of  our  common  progenitor  to  the 
present  liour  ;  in  vain  will  you  attempt  to  find  so  surprising 
a  coincidence.  Thanks  be  to  the  God  of  mercy,  he  suf- 
fered not  time  to  bear  against  and  throw  down  these  ven- 
erable pillars  of  the  dome  of  our  republic,  until  he  had 
provided  other  columns  to  supply  their  absence.  Possibly, 
on  some  minds,  the  fact  may  excite  less  interest  than  on 
my  own,  were  I  to  state,  that  on  the  fourth  of  July,  the 
observant  astronomer  saw  two  of  the  most  beautiful  planets 
in  the  solar  round  descend,  nearly  at  the  same  period,  into 
the  western  sky. 

"  In  the  departure  of  these  illustrious  men,  who  discovers 
not  the  hand  of  the  Lord  ?  They  were  removed,  for  their 
work  was  finished.  The  obstructions  to  their  most  affec- 
tionate intercourse  had  long  vanished  like  the  mists  of  the 
morning,  and  their  decease  offers  a  suggestion  to  all,  who, 
amid  the  festivities  of  our  annual  celebrations,  remember 
not  their  responsibilities — '  Man,  in  his  best  estate,  is  lighter 
than  vanity.' 

"  May  it  never  be  said  of  any  of  our  citizens,  '  The  harp 
and  the  viol,  the  tabret  and  pipe,  and  wine,  are  in  their 
feasts  ;  but  they  regard  not  the  work  of  the  Lord,  nor  the 
operation  of  his  hands.' 

"  Mr.  Jefferson  expressed  his  wish  to  live  until  the  day 
of  our  jubilee;  his  desire  was  granted  him.  Mr.  Adams, 
on  hearing  the  voice  of  cannon,  and  being  informed  that 
it  announced  the  jubilee  of  our  Independence,  said,  '  O, 
it  is  a  great,  a  glorious  day  ! '  and  spake  no  more.  *  Father 
of  Day,'  cried  a  heathen  sovereign,  'thou  resplendent  sun, 
I  give  thee  thanks,  that  before  I  leave  the  world,  I  have 
been  so  happy  as  to  see  Cornelius  Scipio  in  my  dominions, 
and  in  my  palace.  I  have  now  lived  as  long  as  I  could 
desire.'  With  what  greater  propriety  might  our  deceased 
13 


138  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

statesmen  have  exclaimed,  'Father  of  Lights,  thou  Giver  of 
every  good  and  perfect  gift,  we  have  lived  to  see  the  fiftieth 
year  of  the  Independence  of  our  Union.  We  leave  her  in 
full  glory  and  prosperity — and  as  to  our  country,  we  ask 
no  more.'  " 

In  the  course  of  the  sermon,  he  presented  a  short,  judi- 
cious and  comprehensive  delineation  of  the  character  of 
these  distinguished  men.  The  following  is  the  closing 
part  of  the  sketch  of  Mr.  Jefferson  : 

"In  1797,  he  was  elected  Vice-President  of  the  Union, 
and  in  1801  was  elected  to  the  highest  chair  of  magis- 
tracy, to  which  his  country  could  conduct  him,  and  from 
which  in  1809  he  retired.  Omitting  a  thousand  circum- 
stances, which  future  eloquence  will  record,  there  is  one, 
which,  on  a  solemnity  like  the  present,  we  cannot  neglect 
to  mention.  Air.  Jefferson  was  a  decided  enemy  to  re- 
ligious intolerance — a  champion  for  the  inviolable  rights 
of  conscience.  His  correct  feelings  on  this  subject  re- 
volted at  the  idea  of  the  incorporation  of  religion  with  civil 
government.  The  practice  of  ancient  heathen  affords  no 
argument  in  favor  of  a  system  which  reduces  their  my- 
thology to  the  ground,  and  lays  it  low  in  the  dust.  Chris- 
tianity is  spiritual.  She  has  sanctions  infinitely  more  ra- 
tional and  more  effective  than  any  which  human  estab- 
lishments can  adduce.  Her  voice  is,  'Render  to  Caesar 
the  things  that  are  CiEsar's,  and  to  God  the  things  that  are 
God's.'  The  views  of  this  master-legislator  cannot  be  more 
fully  expressed  than  in  his  own  words :  '  The  attack  on 
the  establishment  of  a  dominant  religion  was  first  made  by 
myself.  It  could  be  carried,  at  first,  only  by  a  suspension 
of  salaries  for  one  year ;  by  battling  it  again,  at  the  next 
session,  or  another  year,  and  so  from  year  to  year,  until 
the  public  mind  was  ripened  for  the  bill,  for  establishing 
religious  freedom,  which  I  had  prepared   for  the  revised 


D  11.     S  T  A  V  <.;  11  T  O  X.  1 39 

code  al.^o.  This  was  at  length  established  permanently, 
and  by  the  eflbrts  chiefly  of  Mr.  Madison,  being  myself  in 
Europe  at  the  time  that  work  was  brought  forward.'  The 
last  years  of  the  life  of  Mr.  Jefferson  were  filled  with  pro- 
jecting a  grand  State  university,  which  he  hoped  might 
minister  blessings  to  the  whole  Union.  This  most  prom- 
ising establishment  he  h;id  the  honor  of  seeing  brought 
into  full  operation.  At  length,  on  the  fourth  of  July  last, 
on  the  venerable  tree,  which  had  afforded  shade  and  fruit 
to  thousands,  descended  a  gentle  breeze  of  heaven — its 
age  and  weakness  needed  no  more — and  it  has  fallen." 

The  close  of  the  sermon  is  the  language  of  improvement, 
and  calculated  to  make  a  deep  impression  upon  the  mind  : 

"  If,  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  there  exist  a  people  under 
peculiar  obligations  to  obey  the  precepts  of  Heaven,  we  are 
that  people.  His  goodness  should  lead  us  to  repentance 
for  our  offences,  and  ever  influence  us  to  do  justly,  to  love 
mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  him.  Let  temples  every 
where  rise  in  honor  of  his  name,  and  let  them  be  crowded 
with  grateful,  adoring,  and  holy  worshippers.  It  is  an 
instructive  truth,  asserted  by  the  judicious  Rollin,  and 
attested  by  the  whole  history  of  our  species,  that  nations 
have  risen  into  a  state  of  grandeur,  or  descended  into  ruin 
and  infamy,  in  proportion  as  they  have  been  governed  by, 
or  have  neglected,  moral  principle.  It  is  righteousness 
that  exaltcth  a  nation.  It  is  righteousness  which  so  finely 
harmonizes  with  the  equality  of  a  republic  ;  which  sup- 
presses the  rising  of  animosity,  by  instructing  us,  that  what- 
soever we  would  that  men  should  do  unto  us,  we  also  do 
unto  them  ;  it  is  this  which  spreads  contentment  through 
all  the  walks  of  life.  It  is  this  which  inspires  the  mer- 
chant, the  mechanic,  the  agriculturalist,  and  the  man  of 
science  to  prosecute  his  course  with  success  and  honor. 
What  sound  more  charming  to  the  ear  than   the   voice   of 


140  M  K  M  O  1  R      O  !•■ 

the  individual,  high  in  the  service  of  his  country,  who  can 
stand,  and,  in  the  presence  of  his  fellow-citizens,  exclaim, 
as  did  the  patriarch,  '  I  put  on  righteousness,  and  it  clothed 
me.  My  judgment  was  as  a  robe  and  a  diadem.  I  was 
eyes  to  the  blind,  and  feet  was  I  to  the  lame.  I  was  a 
father  to  the  poor,  and  the  cause  which  I  knew  not,  I 
searched  out;  and  I  brake  the  jaws  of  the  wicked,  and 
plucked  the  spoil  out  of  his  teeth.'  But  if  we  sin  against 
Heaven,  and  in  his  sight,  the  sagacity  and  moral  worth  of 
no  statesman  can  deliver  us.  The  vessel  of  our  common- 
wealth will  be  found  in  an  eddy  too  powerful  to  escape  the 
tremendous  vortex.  Our  eagle,  divested  of  its  pinions,  will 
drop  to  the  earth.  The  folly  of  Rehoboam  was  the  imme- 
diate cause  of  that  disruption  between  Israel  and  Judah, 
which,  like  a  deadly  wound,  refused  to  be  healed ;  but  the 
real  excitement  is  to  be  traced  to  the  vices  of  his  father, 
during  the  latter  periods  of  his  reign,  and  to  the  immoral 
condition  of  the  people.  Does  Babylon  put  on  the  gar- 
ments of  pride,  of  inhumanity  and  of  impiety,  a  prophet  is 
directed  to  say,  '  Babylon,  the  glory  of  kingdoms,  the  beauty 
of  the  Chaldees'  excellency,  shall  be  as  when  God  over- 
threw Sodom  and  Gomorrah.  It  shall  never  be  inhabited, 
neither  shall  it  be  dwelt  in  from  generation  to  generation — 
wild  beasts  of  the  desert  shall  lie  there,  and  their  houses 
shall  be  full  of  doleful  creatures — her  time  is  near  to  come, 
and  her  days  shall  not  be  prolonged.'  Did  Tyre  abandon 
herself  to  avarice,  voluptuousness  and  oppression ;  is  her 
sovereign  heard  crying,  '  I  am  a  God,  I  sit  in  the  seat  of 
God,  in  the  midst  of  the  seas?'  Jehovah  says,  '  I  am  against 
thee,  O,  Tyre !  I  will  cause  many  nations  to  come  up 
against  thee,  as  the  sea  causeth  his  waves  to  come  up.  I 
will  send  a  fire  on  thy  wall,  that  shall  devour  thy  palaces. 
Thy  merchandise  and  all  thy  company  in  the  midst  of  thee 
shall  fall.     Thou  never  shalt  be  any  more.'     What  pro- 


I)  K.      S  T  A  V  G  IIT  O  N.  141 

cured  the  desolation  of  Jerusalem  I  In  the  expostulation  of 
the  Saviour,  we  have  an  answer,  'O,  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem, 
thou  that  killest  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  that  are 
sent  unto  thee,  hov.-  often  would  I  have  gathered  thy  chil- 
dren toircthcr,  as  a  hen  gathereth  her  hrood  under  her  wings 
— and  ye  would  not — behold,  your  house  is  left  unto  you 
desolate.'  Rome,  once  the  mistress  of  nations,  while  prac- 
tising the  sterner  virtues,  was  invincible  :  but  she  fell  be- 
neath the  pressure  of  her  inordinate  self-valuation,  her  am- 
bition and  her  luxury.  The  Divine  Majesty  may  bear,  as 
he  has  borne,  with  offending  nations.  He  may  say,  '  the 
iniquity  of  the  Amorites  is  not  yet  full : '  but  as  assuredly 
as  his  throne  is  immutable,  as  that  throne  is  established  in 
righteousness,  persevering  transgression  will  be  succeeded 
by  ultimate  overthrow.  I  rank  our  Missionary  institutions, 
our  Bible  societies,  and  our  Sunday  schools,  among  the 
bulwarks  of  brass  which  promise  our  safety. 

"  One  of  the  captains  of  Charles  V.  requested  the  favor  of 
a  discharge  from  public  service.  The  Emperor  demanded 
the  reason.  The  thoughtful  officer  replied,  'There  ought 
to  be  a  pause  between  the  tumult  of  life  and  the  day  of 
death.'  It  is  said  this  circumstance  had  a  prnverful  effect 
in  inducing  Charles  to  abandon  his  throne,  and  retire  to 
a  convent.  That  pause,  we  entreat  you,  at  least,  this  sa- 
cred Sabbath,  to  make.  The  decease  of  our  venerable  and 
beloved  friends  addresses  us  in  tones  the  most  solemn. 
*  We  must  needs  die,  and  are  as  water  spilt  on  the  ground, 
which  cannot  be  gathered  up  again,  neither  doth  God  re- 
spect any  person.'  'Surely  every  man  walketh  in  a  vain 
shew,  surely  they  are  disquieted  in  vain.'  'Cease  ye  from 
man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils,  for  wherein  is  he  to 
be  accounted  of  '  All  nations  before  him  are  as  nothing, 
and  they  are  accounted  to  him  less  than  nothing,  and  van- 
ity.' We  have  all  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory 
13* 


14'2  MEMOIR      OF 

of  God.  In  the  language  of  Job,  we  may  say,  '  Drought 
and  heat  consume  the  snow  waters  ;  so  doth  the  grave 
those  that  have  sinned.'  Protracted  age  is  no  security 
against  the  invasions  of  death.  Adam,  the  common  parent 
of  us  all,  lived  nine  hundred  and  thirty  years,  and  yet — he 
died.  Who  of  us  can  hope  to  surmount  his  ninetieth,  his 
eightieth  year?  Existence,  so  far  prolonged,  is  the  privi- 
lege of  few — very  few.  On  the  bridge  of  human  life,  to 
use  an  illusion  of  Mr.  Addison's  elegant  Vision  of  Mirza, 
on  the  bridge  of  human  life,  which  we  are  now  crossing, 
are  innumerable  trap-doors,  that  lie  concealed,  through 
which  the  passengers  drop  into  the  tide  below,  and  disap- 
pear. No  one  in  this  assembly  is  warranted  to  use  the 
language  of  David  to  Jonathan  :  '  Truly,  as  the  Lord  liveth, 
and  as  thy  soul  liveth,  there  is  but  a  step  between  me  and 
death.'  There  may  be  many  steps,  there  may  be  but  one  : 
but  since  each  step  is  the  step  of  jeopardy,  how  much  is  it 
the  wisdom  and  duty  of  every  man,  to  be  well  prepared  for 
the  final  plunge  ? 

"  While  on  earth  we  are  permitted  to  continue,  let  us 
have  our  eye  continually  fixed  on  the  duties  of  our  respec- 
tive stations ;  whether  the  niche  allotted  us  in  the  temple 
of  society  be  depressed  or  exalted,  let  us  seek  refuge  in 
the  arms  of  the  atoning  Redeemer,  and,  sanctified  by  his 
Holy  Spirit,  may  it  be  ours,  amid  the  dread  catastrophe  of 
a  perishing  universe,  to  find  this  corruptible  put  on  incor- 
ruption  ;  this  mortal,  immortality." 

Extracts  from  a  sermon  delivered  at  the  opening  of  the 
Baptist  meeting-house,  near  Trenton,  N.  J.,  to  which  ref- 
erence has  already  been  made.  The  text  was,  "  Will 
God,  indeed,  dwell  on  the  earth  1"  After  the  exordium,  he 
observes, — "  We  are  met,  as  it  is  commonly  termed  among 
us,  to  open  the  house,  by  which  we  mean  two  things  ;  first, 
to  make  an  explicit  avowal  of  its  design, — and,  secondly, 


DR.      S  T  A  U  O  Jl  T  O  N.  1  iA 

to  put  the  machinery  into  motion.  Under  the  second 
meaning,  the  Dr.  says  :  "  When  Moses  had  completed  the 
tahernacle  according  to  the  model  showed  him  in  the 
Mount,  on  the  first  day  of  the  first  month  he  set  it  up. 
Then  he  brought  in  the  ark,  the  table  and  the  golden 
candlestick,  he  fixed  the  altar  of  incense  before  the  vail, 
the  altar  of  burnt-offering  at  the  door  of  the  tabernacle, 
and  the  laver  between  the  tent  and  the  altar.  Thus  ar- 
ranged, every  object  began  to  be  appropriated  to  its  design. 
The  prophet  placed  the  bread  on  the  table,  he  lighted  the 
lamps  before  the  Lord,  he  burnt  sweet  incense  on  the 
golden  altar,  he  laid  the  bleeding  victims  on  the  altar  of 
burnt-offering,  and  himself,  and  Aaron  and  his  sons, 
washed  their  hands  and  their  feet  in  the  laver.  Then  the 
cloud  descended,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  filled  the  tab- 
ernacle. You,  brethren,  like  Moses,  have  been  raising 
the  house  and  setting  it  in  order.  To-day  we  open  it  by 
beginning  to  offer  up  the  incense  of  prayer  before  the 
throne, — to-day,  for  tiie  first  time  from  this  pulpit,  salva- 
tion through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  is  proclai)ned, — the 
doors  have  begun  to  be  crowded  with  worshippers,  and  the 
walls  to  ring  with  hymns  of  thanksgiving.  O,  that  to- 
day, in  this  place,  sinners  may  be  converted  to  God,  and 
saints  receive  consolation  and  establishment.  Great  God 
of  assemblies,  bend  thy  heavens  and  come  down  ;  here 
make  the  horn  of  David  to  bud,  and  ordain  a  lamp  for 
thine  anointed.  But,  '  Will  God,  indeed,  dwell  on  the 
earth ! ' 

"  We  adopt  for  ourselves  the  exclamation  of  Solomon. 
Every  word  is  full  of  meaning.  Wc  scarce  know  where  to 
rest  our  emphasis.  Will  God  dwell  on  the  earth  !  It 
would  create  our  wonder  if  a  cherub  were  to  display  his 
burning  glories  among  us,  but  this  were  nothing  :  it  were 
nothing  if  all  the  cherubim  that  w  heel  round  the  throne  of 


144  M  E  M  O  1  R      O  F 

light  were  to  come  from  the  skies,  compared  with  the 
descent  of  the  eternal  God.  For  God  to  dwell  in  heaven 
does  not  so  much  excite  our  astonishment.  It  is  true,  in 
a  certain  sense,  the  angels  are  chargeable  with  folly,  and 
the  heavens  are  unclean  in  liis  sight ;  there  are,  however, 
there,  none  dwelling  in  houses  of  clay,  no  filthy  and 
abominable  beings,  who  drink  iniquity  like  water.  But 
that  he  should  dwell  on  the  earth  seems  almost  beyond  be- 
lief Will  he  indeed  dwell,  or  shall  it  be  only  in  a  sense 
improper  and  figurative !  Will  he  indeed  dwell,  or  is  the 
mercy  too  great  to  be  expected  !  Divine  condescensions 
often  fill  the  hearts  of  good  men  with  holy  astonishment. 
Thus  the  compassion  and  sovereignty  of  Christ  in  mani- 
festing himself  to  his  disciples,  and  not  to  the  world,  ap- 
peared marvellous.  Lord,  how  is  it!  When  Israel  was 
delivered  from  captivity,  when  a  risen  Saviour  was  an- 
nounced to  his  disciples,  they  were  like  men  that  dream, 
they  believed  not  for  joy. 

"  The  devout  surprise  our  text  expresses,  leaves  it  im- 
plied, that  it  would  be  no  ground  of  wonder  if  God  would 
not  make  his  abode  with  us.  This  idea  will  receive  con- 
firmation on  our  contemplating  the  immensity ,  the  lofti- 
ness, the  independence,  the  holiness,  and  the  sovereignty  of 

God. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  # 

"  We  have  ample  evidence  that  God  will  dwell  with  man 
in  the  coming  of  Christ  into  the  world.  '  The  word  was  made 
flesh,'  said  John,  '  and  dwelt  among  us,  and  we  beheld  his 
glory,  the  glory  as  of  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  full 
of  grace  and  truth.'  We  cannot  assent  to  the  creed  of 
such  as  regard  our  Lord  Jesus  as  a  mere  man,  or,  to  that 
of  those  who  consider  him  only  a  created  being,  while  they 
admit  he  is  above  the  highest  angels.  If  Jesus  Christ  be 
not   the  true  God  and   eternal  life,  would   the   Holy  Spirit 


D  1! .       8  T  A  f  O  H  V  ON.  1  4o 

have  inspired  the  writers  of  the  Bible  to  have  recorded  so 
many  and  such  pertinent  texts,  which  a  phiin  understand- 
ing must  accept  as  demonstrations  of  his  divinity,  and 
which  require  all  the  subtlety  of  criticism  to  induce  a 
doubt  as  to  their  meaning  ?  We  are  reduced  to  the  alterna- 
tive, to  acknowledge,  either  that  Christ  is  a  divine  person, 
or,  that  the  language  of  Scripture  is  unguarded  and  de- 
ceptive ;  an  idea  which  every  good  man  will  reject  with 
abhorrence.  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh  ;  for  Christ  is 
God.     Ilis  name  is  Immanucl,  God  with  us. 

"  Of  his  dignity  and  his  presence  tlie  heavens  gave  tes- 
timony. A  new  star  traversed  the  sky  at  his  incarnation, 
and  at  his  crucifixion,  for  three  hours,  the  sun  was  extin- 
guished. The  winds  and  seas  gave  testimony,  when  at 
his  word  the  furious  blasts  were  hushed,  and  the  rough 
surges  smoothed  into  a  great  calm ;  at  the  same  word,  the 
inhabitants  of  the  waters  crowded  round  the  ship  and 
filled  the  net  of  the  astonished  and  worshipping  disciples. 
The  earth  gave  testimony  :  at  his  death  and  at  his  resur- 
rection, it  trembled  to  its  centre.  Diseases  gave  testi- 
mony :  fevers  were  rebuked  ;  issues  of  blood  were 
stanched  ;  the  blind  saw  their  deliverer  ;  the  deaf  heard 
his  voice  ;  the  dumb  published  his  character  ;  paralytics 
arose  and  followed  him,  and  lepers,  at  his  command, 
hastened  to  the  priests  and  were  healed  as  they  travelled. 
The  grave  gave  testimony,  when  Lazarus  came  forth  in 
the  garb  of  its  dominions,  and  when  many  of  the  bodies  of 
the  saints  that  slept,  arose.  The  invisible  world  gave  tes- 
timony :  devils  acknowledged  his  divinity,  and  flew  from 
his  presence  to  the  abodes  of  perdition  ;  angels  ministered 
unto  him,  in  the  desert,  the  garden  and  the  tomb.  One  of 
them,  as  if  to  exhibit  an  emblem  of  the  virtues  of  the 
Saviour,  often  descended  Bethesda  and  imparted  to  the 
waters  a  healing  power.     A  multitude  sang  an  anthem  in 


146  MEMOIR      OF 

the  air  in  the  hearing  of  the  shepherds,  and  as  our  risen 
Lord  ascended  up  to  glory,  they  accompanied  his  flight 
with  the  sound  of  trumpet,  and  the  shouts  of  triumph. 

"  But,  Oh  !  my  brethren,  how  glorious  the  purposes  he 
came  to  execute.  '  To  finish  transgression,  to  make  an 
end  of  sins,  and  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity, 
and  to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness,  and  to  seal  up 
the  vision  and  prophecy,  and  to  anoint  the  Most  Holy.' 
Daniel  ix.  24. 

"  God  is  found  dwelling  on  the  earth  by  his  Spirit  in  the 

heart. 

******* 

"  Think  it  not  strange  that  God,  the  Spirit,  should 
possess  a  distinct  habitation  in  the  heart  of  every  believer. 
The  same  voice,  like  the  voice  of  God  from  Mount  Sinai, 
may  distinctly  enter  a  million  of  ears ;  place  before  the 
sun  as  many  mirrors  as  the  earth  could  furnish,  an  image 
of  the  sun  would  appear  in  every  mirror  ;  but,  supposing 
no  illustration  could  be  derived  from  nature,  experi- 
ence demonstrates  the  truth.  To  this  test  the  apostle 
refers,  where  he  says,  ye  are  not  in  the  flesh,  but  in  the 
spirit,  if  so  be  the  Spirit  of  God  dwell  in  you  ;  now  if  any 
man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his. 

"  We  have  evidence  that  God  will  dwell  with  man  upon 
the  earth,  in  the  displays  of  his  gracious  presence  in  his 
churches.  He  said  to  Israel,  '  In  all  places  where  I 
record  my  name,  I  will  come  unto  thee,  and  I  will  bless 
thee,'  and,  in  language  very  similar,  our  Lord  addressed 
his  disciples  ;  '  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together 
in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them.  I  will  not 
leave  you  comfortless,  I  will  come  unto  you.' 

"  David  declares  he  has  beheld  the  glory  of  Jehovah  in 
his  tabernacles,  and,  may  I  not  add,  so  have  we.  Have 
we  not  seen  it  in  the  ministers  of  the  sanctuary,  when 


OK.      S  T  A  II  G  II  T  O  N.  147 

engaged  in  solemn  prayer  ?  How,  like  Moses,  have  they 
ascended  tiie  liill  of  the  Lord  in  presence  of  all  the  people  ! 
What  a  holv  flow  of  adoration,  petitions  and  thanksgivings, 
have  we  sometimes  witnessed  !  Have  we  not  seen  it  in  the 
ministration  of  the  word?  With  what  boldness  and  readi- 
ness of  mind,  with  what  depth  of  argument  and  persuasive 
energy,  with  what  ardent  zeal  and  heavenly  unction,  have 
we  often  heard  his  servants  deliver  their  message !  The 
sound  of  their  Master's  feet  behind  them,  while  it  revives 
the  sense  of  their  awful  responsibility,  gives  courage  to  the 
heart,  and  inspires  that  eloquence  in  proclaiming  the  ter- 
rors of  Sinai  and  the  consolations  of  Calvary,  which  the 
schools  could  never  have  taught.  The  effects  attending 
the  word  bespeak  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  It  is  God 
that  giveth  the  increase.  If  there  come  in  one  that  be- 
lieveth  not,  or  one  unlearned,  he  is  convinced,  he  is 
judged,  and  thus  are  the  secrets  of  his  heart  made  mani- 
fest, and  ;  )  falling  down  on  his  face  he  will  worship  God, 
and  report  that  God  is  in  you  of  a  truth.  The  cry  of  con- 
verts when  seeking  access  to  the  church  and  its  ordinances 
is,  we  will  go  with  you,  for  we  have  heard  that  God  is 
with  you.  We  have  indications  of  his  presence  when 
Asaphs  are  instructed  in  the  rectitude  of  Providence, 
when  Ephraims  are  mourning  over  their  backslidings,  and 
when  Simeons,  having  seen  the  salvation  of  God,  are  long- 
ing to  depart  in  peace  from  earth  to  heaven. 

"  God  will  dwell  in  his  churches, — he  hath  said,  '  Lo  I  am 
with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.'  The 
church,  it  is  true,  is  in  the  wilderness,  and  a  thousand 
savage  beasts  of  prey  stand  waiting  to  devour  ;  but  the 
Lord  is  a  wall  of  fire  around  her,  through  which  they  can- 
not pass.  Zion  is  his  rest  forever.  The  malice  of  earth 
and  hell  can  no  more  succeed  in  destroying  the  church,  his 
dwelling-place  below,  than  in  demolishing  the  heavens,  his 


148  M  E  M  O  IR      O  F 

dwelling-place  above ;  and  for  this  obvious  reason,  '  The 
Lord  is  there.' 

"  There  are  objects  in  the  natural  world  whose  presence 
brings  blessings  with  it.  Wherever  the  broad  river  winds 
its  course,  its  banks  become  fertile,  and  its  contiguous 
cities  seats  of  commerce.  The  appearance  of  the  sun 
cheers  the  face  of  nature,  and  the  possession  of  a  shield  is 
a  security  to  the  warrior  against  the  weapons  of  his  adver- 
sary. Under  such  animating  figures,  David  sets  forth  the 
advantages  of  the  divine  presence  in  his  churches.  There 
is  a  river,  the  streams  whereof  make  glad  the  city  of  our 
God.  The  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield,  the  Lord  will 
give  grace  and  glory,  and  no  good  thing  will  he  withhold 
from  them  that  walk  uprightly.  His  presence  is  like  that 
of  the  good  shepherd  in  the  midst  of  his  flock,  or  of  the 
affectionate  father  in  the  midst  of  his  happy  family. 

"  Does  it,  my  brethren,  from  what  you  have  heard  ap- 
pear a  truth,  that  God  loill  dwell  with  man  upon  the  earth, 
permit  me  to  exhort  you  never  to  lose  sight  of  his  astonish- 
ing condescension.  Not  less  in  the  stoops  of  his  mercy, 
than  in  the  sublimities  of  his  nature,  does  Jehovah  shine 
without  a  rival.  Historians  have  dwelt  on  the  resignation 
of  Charles  the  Vth.  the  emperor  of  Germany,  as  an  event 
scarcely  paralleled  in  the  annals  of  ages.  But  compared 
with  the  Lord's  bowing  the  heavens,  this  is  less  than  nothing. 

'  In  vain  might  lofty  princes  try, 
Such  condescension  to  perform  ; 
For  worms  were  never  raised  so  high, 
Above  their  meanest  fellow-worm.' 

"  Reflections  on  the  condescending  grace  of  God  tend 
to  promote  true  humility.  Pride  is  altogether  unbecoming 
sinful,  dependent,  dying  creatures.  It  is  a  crime,  against 
which  srme  of  the  most  tremendous  threatenings  in  the 


U  U.      S  T  A  to  H  T  O  S.  149 

Scriptures  direct  their  terrors;  and  yet,  al.is!  how  prone 
are  \vc  to  cherish  this  '  first-horn  of  Satan'  in  our  hosoms. 
Would  you  wish  to  be  clothed  with  humility,  let  this  mind 
be  in  you  which  was  also  m  Christ  Jesus  ;  who,  1  eing  in 
the  form  of  God,  thought  it  no  robbery  to  be  equal  with 
God;  but  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  took  upon  him 
the  form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the  likeness  of  men, 
and  being  found  in  fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself, 
and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the 

cross.     (Phil.  2  :   5—8.) 

******** 

"  The  surprise  expressed  in  our  text,  arises,  as  we  have 
shown,  from  the  contrariety  that  subsists  between  the 
nature  and  condition  of  God  and  man.  It  must,  therefore, 
be  as  wonderful  that  man  should  dwell  with  God  in  heaven, 
as  that  the  Lord  should  dwell  on  the  earth  ;  and  yet,  great 
as  is  the  privilege,  all  the  saints  shall  share  it.  These 
sanctuary  services  are  intended  to  fit  the  soul,  through  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  approaching  the  heavenly 
Jerusalem,  the  innumerable  company  of  angels,  the  church 
of  the  first-born,  God  the  judge  of  all,  and  Jesus  the  Medi- 
ator of  the  new  covenant.  Our  earthly  sabbaths  are  but 
fore-tastes  of  a  sabbath  tliat  shall  never  end.  The  neces- 
sity for  distinct  houses  for  worship  shall  shortly  cease. 
When  the  beloved  disciple  at  Patmos  had  a  vision  of  the 
holy  city,  he  saw  no  temple  therein  ;  for  the  Lord  God 
Almighty  and  the  Lamb  are  the  temple  of  it.  In  heaven 
so  direct  will  be  the  displays  of  the  divine  glory,  and  so 
amply  and  immediately  will  the  dilated  faculties  of  the 
soul  be  filled  from  the  fulness  of  God,  as  to  render  all  aux- 
iliaries for  ever  unnecessary. 

"  Raise  your  contemplations,  brethren,  this  morning  to 
that  state  of  perfect  blessedness  which  is  before  you.  In 
their  nature  and  in  their  source,  the  joys  of  saints  in  heaven 
14 


159  MEMOIR      OF 

and  saints  on  earth  are  the  same ;  but,  in  numerous  cir- 
cumstances they  greatly  differ.  When  we  meet  in  liis 
sanctuary  now,  the  assembly  is  a  mixed  one.  He  that 
feareth  God,  and  he  that  feareth  him  not,  sit  and  hear, 
and  sing  together ;  but  in  the  mansions  above,  the  people 
will  all  be  holy.  Here,  in  their  happiest  moments,  the 
saints  find  a  sinful  nature  defiling  their  purest  services ; 
so  that  the  brighter  their  discoveries  of  the  divine  glory 
are,  like  Isaiah  and  Job,  the  more  they  deplore  their  un- 
cleanness  and  abhor  themselves ;  but  there,  not  the  least 
taint  of  moral  defilement  shall  remain  ;  their  hearts,  as  well 
as  their  garments,  shall  be  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any 
such  thing.  In  our  present  worship  we  assemble  only  with 
a  few  of  God's  people.  Though  the  iron  rod  of  persecution 
does  not  scatter  us  apart  as  it  did  our  forefathers,  and  limit 
our  devotions  to  the  private  parlor,  or  the  prison-house,  yet 
the  conveniences  of  our  habitations,  and  the  requirements 
of  animal  life,  render  the  congregations  of  the  saints  but 
little  flocks.  JEras  keep  us  asunder,  we  cannot  walk  with 
God  in  company  with  Enoch ;  nor  join  with  David  in  the 
procession  to  the  tabernacle ;  we  cannot  unite  with  the 
apostles  in  their  prayers  in  the  upper  room  in  Jerusalem, 
or  accompany  the  strains  of  the  martyrs  who  sung  their 
hosannas  as  they  embraced  the  stake.  Place  divides  us 
from  each  other.  We  know  that  divine  worship  is  paid  to 
the  Lord  by  thousands  in  Europe,  and  that  Asia  and  Africa 
are  laying  their  tribute  at  his  feet ;  but  long  intervening 
tracts  of  land  and  sea  forbid  our  uniting  with  their  assem- 
blies. Variety  of  religious  sentiment  too  gives  rise  to  dif- 
ferent congregations  ;  we,  as  yet,  see  through  a  glass  dark- 
ly, and  know  only  in  part,  and  prophesy  only  in  part,  but 
in  heaven  the  assembly  shall  consist  of  a  number  that  no 
man  can  number.  All  that  have  loved  the  Saviour  shall 
form  one  glorious  band.     There  an  Abraham  and  an  Owen, 


DR.    s  T  A  i:  a  n  T  o  N.  151 

a  Watts  and  a  David,  a  Peaice  and  a  John,  a  Daniel 
and  a  Henry  ;  there  the  Hindoo  and  the  American,  the 
European  and  the  Negro,  the  Hottentot  and  tlie  Green- 
lander:  there  the  Methodist  and  the  Episcopalian,  the 
Presbyterian  and  the  Baptist,  shall,  with  hearts  and  with 
voices  forever  united,  sing,  '  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was 
slain  '  " 

We  cannot  refrain  from  introducing  one  or  two  short 
passages  from  a  sermon  preached  from  the  text,  "  I  had 
rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the  house  of  my  God,  than 
dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness." 

"  Remorse  is  never  felt  in  consequence  of  attending  the 
house  of  God.  We,  whom  the  Lord  has  put  into  the  min- 
istry, have  more  frequent  opportunities  than  you,  in  our 
visits  to  the  chambers  of  sickness,  of  discovering  the  sources 
of  human  misery.  We  have  often  heard  the  wicked  man 
on  his  death-bed,  and  the  malefactor  on  his  way  to  the 
tree,  name  the  crime  of  sabbath-breaking  and  the  neglect 
of  divine  worship,  among  the  first  steps  they  took  in  the 
road  to  perdition  ;  but  we  should  be  as  astonished  to  hear 
a  dying  man  express  his  regret  that  he  had  attended  the 
tabernacle  of  God,  as  to  hear  a  cherub  in  an  agony,  or  a 
devil  declare  himself  perpetually  happy.  Remorse  origi- 
nates in  sin ;  to  attend  public  worship  is  not  to  sin,  but  to 
discharge  an  important  duty.  None  of  the  exercises  of 
God's  house  have  any  tendency  to  cherish  sin,  they  are 
designed  to  destroy  it.  Nor  does  waiting  on  God  induce 
diseases  on  the  body  ;  it  fills  no  hospitals  with  ruined  con- 
stitutions, no  penitentiaries  with  Magdalenes;  it  leads  into 
no  circles  of  destructive  company,  and  reduces  no  families 
to  indigence  and  wretchedness.  On  the  contrary,  the  ser- 
vants of  God  derive  consolation  in  their  afflictions  from  the 
remembrance  of  their  attendance  in  his  courts;  they  con- 
sider the  love  they  have  felt  and  still  feel  for  his  sanctuary, 


152  MEMOIR     OF 

as  an  evidence  for  good.  David,  in  his  troubles,  drew 
comfort  from  hence  :  '  I  have  hated  the  congregations  of 
evil-doors,  and  will  not  sit  with  the  wicked.'  But,  '  Lord, 
I  have  loved  the  habitation  of  thy  house,  and  the  place 
where  thine  honor  dwelleth.'  Who,  indeed,  that  considers 
aright  the  pain  which  guilt  creates  and  the  pleasures  which 
the  memory  of  piety  imparts,  can  forbear  to  say,  '  I  had 
rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the  house  of  my  God,  than  dwell 
in  the  tents  of  wickedness.'  " 

We  close  this  chapter  with  an  address,  in  the  same  ser- 
mon, to  ungodly  parents. 

"  Without  staying  to  portray  the  wretchedness  of  your 
offspring  in  future  life,  or  the  remorse  which  you  will  pro- 
bably feel  in  the  hour  of  death,  suffer  me  to  lift  up  the  cur- 
tain of  the  invisible  world.  I  cannot  but  believe,  that  there 
are  degrees  in  the  happiness  of  heaven.  I  cannot  but  con- 
clude, that  the  joys  of  pious  parents  will  be  heightened, 
when  they  witness  in  glory  the  triumphal  arrival  of  those 
children,  whom  on  earth  they  had  so  often  led  to  the  sanc- 
tuary, and  commended  to  God  in  fervent  prayer.  I  must 
believe,  also,  that  there  are  degrees  in  the  anguish  of  hell. 
The  rich  man  feared  lest  his  five  brethren  should  come  to 
his  place  of  torment,  because  he  knew  their  miseries  would 
increase  his  own.  The  parents  that  are  now  *  drinking 
down  iniquity,'  are  on  their  way  to  the  pit ;  but  O,  how 
will  their  pains  be  increased,  when  they  behold  their 
children  descend  after  them  into  the  same  hopeless  regions. 
Bunyan,  in  his  '  Progress,'  brings  his  pilgrims  to  a  moun- 
tain, on  the  side  of  which  was  an  opening  into  hell.  Mercy 
is  instructed  to  hearken ;  she  hearkened,  and  heard  one 
saying,  '  Cursed  be  my  father  for  holding  back  my  feet  from 
the  way  of  life  and  peace.'  Much  of  the  misery  of  futurity 
will  probably  consist  in  reproach.  Some,  says  Daniel,  will 
awake  to  shame   and  everlasting  contempt.     Tormented 


D  U.      S  T  A  i;  G  H  T  O  N.  153 

Mith  the  devil  and  his  angels,  how  will  yonr  heart  endure 
to  hear  the  cries  of  your  children,  forever  lost,  'O  cruel 
lather,  O  unfeeling  mother,  you  never  taught  us  the  way  to 
heaven  ;  we  lisped  no  prayers  in  our  childhood ;  a  holy 
hymn  we  never  learned  ;  you  never  offered  a  petition  for 
us  in  the  closet  or  in  the  family ;  the  Bible  you  never  read 
to  us,  nor  caused  us  to  read  it ;  you  never  led  us  to  the 
house  of  God,  but  made  a  mock  alike  at  sin  and  at  religion. 
We  saw  you  enter  the  tabernacles  of  transgression ;  unsus- 
pectingly we  followed  ;  you  handed  to  us  the  poisonous 
portion,  and  our  corruptions  relished  it.  We  saw  you  draw 
iniquity  with  cords  of  vanity ;  we  applied  our  hands  also 
to  the  rope,  and  as  the  fruit  of  those  sins,  to  which  you 
have  been  accessary,  we  are,  by  a  righteous  God,  tormented 
in  this  flame  !'***!  will  not  enlarge.  Permit 
me  to  appeal  to  you  all,  to-day,  whether  king  David  be  not 
justifiable  in  asserting,  he  *  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in 
the  house  of  his  God,  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wicked- 
ness.' "' 

I  have  heard  the  Doctor  repeat  the  passage  from  Bunyan 
in  the  same  connexion.  To  form  any  idea  of  its  effect  it 
was  necessary  to  be  present.  The  voice,  the  attitude,  the 
expression  of  countenance,  in  the  orator — the  language  of 
the  condemned  sinner,  as  if  from  the  depths  of  the  pit,  sent 
through  the  whole  frame  a  shuddering  chill,  felt  by  every 
hearer,  but  by  none  to  be  described. 


14* 


154  MEMOIROF 


CHAPTER    VI. 

His  character  as  a  public  man — originator  of  the  First  Female  Bible 
Society  in  the  world — instruction  of  Theological  students  in  Phil- 
adelphia— multiplicity  of  his  labors  in  the  benevolent  institutions 
of  the  day — his  hospitality — addresses  to  Theological  students. 

Doctor  Staughton  was,  in  the  strictest  sense  of  the 
term,  a  public  man.  The  effect  which  his  addresses,  at 
various  anniversary  meetings,  produced,  can  never  be 
erased  from  the  minds  of  those  who  were  favored  to  hear 
them.  In  all  the  benevolent  institutions  of  the  day  he  was 
an  active,  zealous  and  efficient  laborer.  To  the  Sunday 
School  cause  he  contributed  his  influence  in  every  form  in 
which  he  supposed  il,  might  subserve  the  interests  of  this 
humble,  but  extensively  useful  instrumentality.  His  pen 
was  frequently  employed  in  recommending  it  to  public  at- 
tention. The  following  lines,  entitled  "  The  Sunday 
School  Teacher,"  are  worthy  of  insertion  : 

"Hail  !   day  of  the  Lord,  in  thy  brightness  ascending  ! 
The  latter-day  glory  divinely  portending ; 
The  darkness  and  shadows  have  fled  far  away, 
The  bosoms  of  multitudes  welcome  thy  sway. 
I  haste  to  the  temple  where  thousands  assemble. 
Where  saints  are  rejoicing,  where  enemies  tremble  ; 
Thrice  happy  the  bands  of  young  children  to  see, 
And  point  the  poor  little  ones,  Saviour,  to  thee. 

"  Hail !  day  of  suspension,  from  '  toiling  and  spinning,' 
A  prize  is  displayed  worth  contesting  and  winning ; 
Let  manhood  with  joy  in  the  labor  engage. 
And  mingle  in  classes  with  spectacled  age  ; 


OR.      STAUGHTON.  15.5 

The  bible — the  bible,  a  life  giving  treasure, 
A  fountain  of  wisdom,  of  virtue,  of  pleasure  ! 
It  offers  a  balm  from  life's  loveliest  tree, 
And  points  the  adult  and  the  aged  to  thee. 

"  Talk  of  color  no  more,  'tis  but  skin-deep  impression, 

The  blessings  of  grace  are  for  human  possession ; 

Comprehensive,  the  Gospel's  beneficent  plan 

Contemplates  the  sablest  complexion  as  man  ; 

Ethiopia's  sons,  Ethiopia's  daughters, 

Are  welcomed  to  drink  evangelical  waters  ! 

Since  the  mandate  divine  bids  the  fettered  be  free, 

I'll  point  the  poor  African,  Saviour,  to  thee. 

"  See  the  red  men  diffused  through  our  westernmost  regions, 

Now  pining  away — once  existing  in  legions, 

Inquiring  the  path  to  '  The  Father  of  Life,' 

All  eager  to  terminate  sorrow  and  strife  : 

Let  the  tomahawk  sleep,  and  the  bow  and  the  quiver  : 

From  the  foot  of  Mount  Zion  effuses  a  river 

Can  bear  all  offence  to  oblivion's  sea, 

And  waft  the  poor  Indian.  Saviour,  to  thee. 

'•  How  blessed  the  men  who  with  heathen  are  toiling  ! 
Though  mortals  may  frown,  the  Redeemer  is  smiling  ; 
O'er  the  glooms  of  Hindostan  and  shades  of  Rangoon 
Salvation  shall  shine,  all  refulgent  and  soon. 
Great  Saviour  !  succeed  the  increasing  translations, 
Let  the  charter  of  grace  be  perused  by  all  nations, 
And  with  eyes  beaming  transport,  thy  messengers  see 
Converting  idolators  bending  to  Thee." 

In  the  origination  of  the  Philadelphia  Bible  Society,  his 
efforts  greatly  contributed.  He  was,  from  its  commence- 
ment, Recording  Secretary,  and  afterwards  one  of  the 
Vice-Presidents  in  that  body  ;  and  by  his  counsel,  his  zeal, 
and  his  writings,  proved  a  valuable  auxiliary  in  its  estab- 
lishment and  prosperity.  He  was  the  projector  of  several 
plans  for  its  extended  success.  Essays  were  written  by 
him,  to  recommend  its  claims  to  public  attentioD,  and  sev- 


156  MEMOIR      OF 

eral  circulars  and  appeals  were  prepared  by  him.  The 
last  circular  which  he  wrote  was  in  reference  to  the  great 
effort  of  that  society  to  furnish  every  destitute  family  in 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  with  a  copy  of  the  sacred  Scrip- 
tures. After  stating  the  pecuniary  embarrassments  of  the 
Society,  the  address  concludes  in  the  language — "The 
Society  cannot  yield  to  the  idea,  that  large  as  the  sum 
required  may  seem,  it  offers  to  Christian  churches  in  the 
vicinity  of  their  location,  and  to  a  generous  public,  any 
consideration  really  formidable.  The  demand  has  been 
created  under  a  devout  veneration  for  the  authority  which 
has  said, 

"  The  silver  is  mine,  and  the  gold  is  mine." 

"  Aggregates  from  individual  contribution  have  often  been 
obtained,  where  the  design,  as  to  its  moral  influence,  would 
admit  of  no  comparison  with  the  present.     Services  per- 
formed for  the  honor  of  God  will  never  lose  their  reward. 
If  the  pleasure  of  doing  good  is  to  be  appreciated   by  the 
importance  of  that  good,  in   what  way  can   a   servant  of 
Christ  be  better  occupied  than   by  sending  to  the  destitute 
the  bread  of  life,  and  the  water  of  life  ?    How  divine,  how 
enviable  that  calm,  which  softens   the   dissolving  hour  of 
one  who   possesses   an   humble   consciousness  that,    after 
the  example  of  a  holy  prophet,   he  has  '  served  his  genera- 
tion.'    The  Society    are  indeed  urgent   in  their  request ; 
but  they  believe  their  importunity  will  be  found  acceptable 
to  every  pious  and  benevolent  bosom,  that  from  the  pulpit, 
or  otherwise,  shall  receive  the  requisite  information.    They 
anticipate  results  of  the   most  favorable  description.     The 
Society  would  address  each  church,   in   the  words  of  She- 
caniah  to   Ezra,   'Arise,   for   the    matter   belongeth    unto 
thee ;  we  will  also  be  with  thee ;  be  of  good  courage,  and 
do  it.'" 


DR.    S  T  A  U  Ci  H  T  O  N.  157 

The  first  Female  Bible  Society  in  the  world  Dr.  Staugh- 
ton  proposed  and  assisted  in  forminir.  The  ladies  of  Phil- 
adelphia enjoyed  this  honor,  and  long  will  they  remember, 
with  pleasure,  the  voice,  the  encouragements,  and  the  in- 
fluence of  their  friend,  now  resting  in  the  peaceful  slumber 
of  the  grave. 

During  the  whole  of  his  residence  in  that  city,  he  was 
engaged  in  the  instruction  of  youth.  A  considerable  part 
of  the  time  he  had  a  school  of  young  ladies  under  his  entire 
direction.  These  are  now  scattered  over  a  large  extent  of 
country,  and  are  among  the  best  educated  females  in  our 
land.  His  mode  of  communicating  instruction  was  as  suc- 
cessful as  his  pulpit  ministrations,  and  the  moral  impres- 
sion which  he  gave  to  the  opening  mind  will  be  felt  through 
descending  families.  The  affection  of  his  pupils  was  almost 
unbounded,  yet  never  degenerating  into  the  bold  and  in- 
trusive. While  they  loved  him  as  a  father,  they  venerated 
him  as  their  preceptor.  No  man  better  understood  the  art 
of  winning  affection  and  confidence,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
preserving  the  authority  of  dignity.  His  school  was  regu- 
larly opened  with  prayer. 

For  several  years  he  taught  the  higher  branches  in  the 
celebrated  school  of  Mrs.  Rivardi,  which,  at  that  time, 
stood  one  of  the  first  in  the  United  States.  It  was  his  aim 
to  make  science  appear  in  its  most  attractive  form.  He 
was  in  the  habit  of  delivering  lectures  on  different  subjects. 
His  lectures  on  Sacred  History  were  not  the  least  imposing. 
The  voung  ladies,  instead  of  shrinking  from  attendance, 
used  to  welcome  the  day  as  one  of  the  happiest  in  the 
week.  When  the  bell  announced  that  the  hour  had  ar- 
rived, they  would  spring  with  the  sprightliness  of  youth, 
each  anxious  to  get  first  into  the  presence  of  her  beloved 
instructer.  Often,  while  hearing  the  artless,  simple  tale  of 
the  Old  Testament  saint,  would  the  tear  bedew  the  youth- 


158  MEMOIR      OF 

ful  cheek,  and  the  first  exclamation  at  the  close  would  be, 
"  Dr.  Staughton,  it  is  too  short."  One  of  the  young  ladies, 
in  the  ardor  of  her  feelings,  on  leaving  the  school  to  return 
to  her  friends  in  the  West  Indies,  went  to  him,  and  said, 
"Dr.  Staughton,  if  you  ever  publish  those  lectures,  send 
my  papa  one  at  any  risk,  for  I  know  he  would  give  fifty 
dollars  for  a  copy  at  any  time."  It  is  much  to  be  regretted, 
that  these  lectures  are  not  to  be  found  among  his  papers, 
and  it  is  presumed  they  were  lost  with  his  furniture  and 
many  valuable  books,  at  sea,  on  their  way  from  Washing- 
ton to  Philadelphia. 

Every  spring  he  delivered  to  the  class  a  course  of  lec- 
tures on  Botany,  and  took  them  upon  repeated  botanical 
excursions.  Each  lady,  as  the  lectures  were  delivered, 
was  required  to  draw  off  a  short  system'  in  a  book  for  the 
purpose,  which  might  prove  useful  to  her  after  she  had  left 
the  institution. 

To  assist  the  recollection  of  his  pupils,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  throwing  together  his  illustrations  in  verse,  or  re- 
ferring them  to  similar  efforts  made  by  other  hands.  The 
following  proofs  of  the  rotundity  of  the  earth,  from  his  pen, 
have  been  of  service  to  many,  and  may  contribute  to  the 
information  of  the  rising  generation.  Teachers,  we  are 
confident,  will  be  pleased  to  employ  them. 

"  We  clearly  demonstrate  the  earth  to  be  round. 
Since  such  a  form  fittest  for  motion  is  found ; 
The  higher  the  eye  is,  the  prospect's  more  vast, 
And  a  ship's  hull  is  seen  not  so  soon  as  her  mast : 
Round  the  eartli  the  bold  mariner  often  has  been, 
And  the  rest  of  the  planets  are  circular  seen. 
This,  too,  in  all  lunar  eclipses,  is  shewn. 
That  the  shadow  is  round  on  the  face  of  the  moon  ; 
The  polar  star  sinks  as  we  sail  to  the  line, 
And  canals  from  a  level  must  gently  decline."' 


D  K.      P  T  A  I'  (J  H  T  O  N.  159 

We  insert,  also,  in  tliis  place,  the  names  and  order  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testament  books,  having  the  same  end 
in  view,  the  instruction  of  youth.  They  appeared  several 
years  since,  in  the  Latter  Day  Luminary. 

.Xamcs  and  Order  of  the  Books  of  the  Old  Testament. 

'•  The  great  Jcliovah  speaks  to  us, 

In  Genesis  and  E.xodus, 

Leviticus,  and  Numbers,  see. 

Followed  by  Deuteronomy. 

Joshua  and  Judges  sway  the  land, 

Ruth  gleans  a  sheaf  with  trembling  hand; 

Samuel,  and  numerous  Kings,  appear, 

Wliose  Chronicles  we  wondering  hear. 

Ezra,  and  Nehemiah,  now, 

Esther,  the  beauteous  mourner,  show  ; 

Job  speaks  in  sighs,  David,  in  Psalms, 

The  Proverbs  teach  to  scatter  alms ; 

Ecclesiastes,  then,  comes  on, 

And  the  sweet  Song  of  Solomon. 

Isaiali,  Jeremiah,  then. 

With  Lamentations,  takes  his  pen  ; 

Ezekicl,  Daniel,  Hosea's  lyres. 

Swell  Joel,  Amos,  Obadiah's — 

Next  Jonah,  Micah,  Nahum,  come, 

And  lofly  Ilabakkuk  finds  room; 

While  Zcphaniali,  Haggai,  calls, 

Wrapt  Zechariah  builds  his  walls — 

And  Malachi,  with  garments  rent. 

Concludes  the  ancient  Testament." 


JVames  and  Order  of  the  Books  of  the  jXeto  Testament. 

'•  Matthew,  Mark,  Luke  and  John  wrote  the  life  of  their  Lord, 

The  Acts,  what  Apostles  accomplish,  record; 

Rome,  Corinth,  Galatia,  and  Ephesus,  hear, 

What  Pliilippians,  Colossians,  Thessalonians  revere. 


160  >i  K  JI  O  !  K      OF 

Timotlieus,  Titus,  Philemon,  precedu 
The  epistle  which  Hebrews  must  gratefully  read  : 
James,  Peter,  and  John,  with  the  short  letter  Jude, 
The  round  of  divine  Revelation  conclude." 

At  an  early  period  of  his  residence  in  Philadelphia,  he, 
directed  his  attention  to  the  educaiion  of  young  men  for 
usefulness  in  the  ministry.  In  the  year  1812,  the  Baptist 
Education  Society  of  the  Middle  States  was  organized. 
At  a  subsequent  meeting,  in  the  commencement  of  the 
year  1813,  he  was  unanimously  elected  tutor.  The  first 
three  articles  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Society  read  thus  : 

"Art.  1.  The  Society  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of 
the  Baptist  Education  Society  of  the  Middle  States  of 
America. 

"  Art.  2.  Its  avowed  and  explicit  design  is,  with  a 
divine  blessing,  the  assisting  of  pious  men  in  obtaining 
such  literary  and  theological  aid,  as  shall  enable  them, 
with  greater  ease  to  themselves  and  usefulness  to  the 
churches,  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  the  Christian  ministry. 

"  Art.  3.  Such  persons  only  shall  be  considered  as 
eligible  to  the  privileges  of  the  Society,  as  are  regular 
members  of  Baptist  churches,  and  as  have  been  licensed 
to  the  ministry,  and  are,  by  the  trustees  of  the  Society, 
considered  as  possessing  talents  likely  to  contribute  to 
ministerial  usefulness." 

The  Doctor  received  young  men  of  the  character  above 
described  into  his  family,  and  not  only  instructed  them, 
but  contributed,  in  a  variety  of  ways,  to  their  personal 
comfort.  He  did  this  with  great  cheerfulness,  though  at 
the  sacrifice  of  many  comforts  to  himself  and  his  family. 
To  his  family  these  things  are  well  known,  but  it  is  unne- 
cessary to  detail  them  in  this  place.  Mrs.  Staughton,  by  her 
kindness  and  counsel,  contributed  much  to  the  interests 
of  the  cause  in  which  her  beloved  partner  was  engaged. 


D  K.     S  T  A  V  O  H  T  O  N.  161 

Such  was  her  anxiety  to  see  the  Baptist  ministry  placed 
upon  a  respeciable  footing,  that  she  was  willing  to  submit 
to  any  privation  to  promote  their  respectability  and  their 
happiness.  The  young  gentlemen  were  treated  with  the 
greatest  kindness,  and  their  improvenient  was  rapid  and 
substantial.  The  character,  theological  soundness,  and 
public  usefulness  of  the  students  generally,  who  received 
their  first  touches  from  his  master-hand,  are  his  highest 
conmiendation. 

To  say  that  his  pupils  respected  him,  is  cold — they  loved 
him  as  a  father — and  while  they  breathe,  his  memory  will 
be  cherished  with  gratitude  to  God,  and  serve  to  urge  them 
onward  in  the  path  of  virtue  and  usefulness. 

His  counsels  were  well  adapted  to  prepare  them  for  the 
various  exigencies  that  might  occur  in  their  ministerial 
connexions.  The  writer  of  this  sketch  can  never  forget 
the  earnestness  and  solemnity  with  which  he  urged  two 
points  upon  the  attention  of  the  class,  while  he  formed  one 
of  its  number.  The  first  was,  to  pursue  a  condescending 
course  to  those  brethren  in  the  ministry  who  had  not  re- 
ceived the  advantages  of  education.  He  loved  them,  and 
respected  them  for  their  zeal  and  piety,  and  entreated  us 
never  to  wound  their  feelings  by  unkind  allusions  or  indiffer- 
ent treatment.  The  second  was,  to  make  Christ  and  him 
crucified  the  substance  of  all  our  preaching.  It  pained  his 
heart,  to  hear  a  discourse,  however  excellent  as  to  style 
and  delivery,  which  was  not  sanctified  with  the  blood 
of  the  Saviour.  Christ  was  his  theme,  the  burden  of  all 
his  pulpit  exhibitions ;  and  to  this  example,  with  which  the 
students  were  for  a  time  familiar,  as  well  as  to  his  advice 
in  the  class,  much  of  the  subsequent  character  of  their 
preaching  is  to  be  ascribed.  It  is  a  truth,  wiiich  it  were 
folly  to  controvert,  that  the  student  imperceptibly  catches 
the  spirit  of  his  instructer.  To  place  a  dry,  argumenta- 
15 


162  MEMOIR     OF 

tive,  drawling  moralizer  at  the  head  of  a  Theological  In- 
stitution, is  a  perfect  farce.  It  is  an  imposition  upon  the 
Christian  community  and  the  public,  which  cannot  be  too 
severely  reprehended.  Learning  is  no  substitute  for  life. 
"  Thoughts  that  breathe  and  words  that  burn,"  are  the 
characteristics  of  a  useful  preacher. 

His  students  will  never  forget  the  tenderness  and  deci- 
sion with  which  he  criticised  their  incipient  efforts.  There 
was  a  delicacy  in  the  mode  that  removed  every  thought 
of  murmuring,  endeared  him  to  their  hearts,  and  acted  as 
a  speedy  and  effective  cure. 

He  delivered  lectures  to  the  class  on  a  great  variety  of 
subjects  :  on  the  inspiration  and  truth  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testament  records,  as  proved  by  miracles,  internal  evi- 
dence, fulfilment  of  prophecies,  and  historical  facts ;  on 
the  nature,  interpretation,  and  use  of  prophecy  ;  on  the 
doctrines  and  duties  of  the  Christian  religion  r  on  the  min- 
isterial office,  the  composition  of  sermons,  the  tempers  of 
mind  necessary  to  usefulness,  and  pastoral  duties  ;  on  the 
interpretation  of  the  Scriptures,  including  the  languages 
in  which  they  were  written,  ancient  manuscripts,  transla- 
tions, remarks  on  important  words,  the  writers,  the  differ- 
ent dispensations  ;  and  also  on  the  missionary  office.  He 
attended  faithfully  to  the  recitations  of  the  class  in  Latin, 
Greek  and  Hebrew,  with  other  appropriate  exercises  in  the 
different  branches  of  study. 

For  many  years,  his  labors  in  various  departments  were 
truly  onerous ;  but  he  accomplished  all  with  perfect  ease, 
and  without  the  least  appearance  of  haste  or  confusion. 
In  addition  to  his  daily  school,  and  the  instruction  of  The- 
ological students,  he  met  his  brethren  in  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions at  every  meeting,  and  these  were  frequent,  conduct- 
ed all  the  correspondence  of  that  body,  and  maintained,  at 
the  same  time,  an  extensive  friendly  communication  with 


DR.      STAUGHTOX.  1G3 

his  brethren  in  England,  and  witli  the  English  Baptist  Mis- 
sionaries in  India.  He  contributed  extensively  to  the  pub- 
lications ot'  the  day,  by  original  essays.  Wlicn  the  Latter 
Day  Luminary  was  commenced,  its  pages  were  considera- 
bly indebted  to  his  pen.  To  insert  all  the  valuable  pieces 
of  which  he  was  the  author,  would  be  to  swell  this  Memoir 
to  an  improper  size. 

We  cannot  refrain,  however,  from  inserting  his  beautiful 
and  pious  effusion  upon  the  comet,  which  made  its  appear- 
ance in  the  year  1819. 

"  Hail,  wonderful  stranger  !  with  thousands  I  liail 

Thy  lunar-like  orb,  thy  illustrious  trail  ! 

Say,  why  to  our  ether  thy  course  thou  hast  run  ? 

To  feed  with  new  fires  the  diminishing  sun  ? 

Over  nations  in  guilt  to  exhibit  the  rod  ? 

Or  invite  to  the  high  contemplation  of  God  ? 

Dost  thou  range  with  tiie  links,  which,  let  down  from  the  throne, 

Bind  suns  and  their  far-spreading  systems  in  one  ? 

Or,  say,  dost  thou  kindly  descend  to  repair. 

With  life-cheering  virtues  the  regions  of  air.' 

Or,  wait'st  thou  the  will  of  yon  infinite  Sire, 

To  shock  earth  to  fragments,  or  whelm  it  in  fire  ? 

A  T^'cho,  a  Newton,  may  measure  thy  course, 

Determine  thy  fervors  and  value  thy  force  ; 

But,  alas  !  to  frail  man  'tis  not  given  to  knotv. 

What  fields  thou  hast  traversed  of  sun-beam  or  snow  I 

Perhaps  when  releas'd  fiom  this  mansion  of  clay. 

My  soul  may  attend  thy  mysterious  way, 

With  holy  inhabitants  pass  through  the  sky. 

And  sing  the  loud  praises  of  God  as  we  fly  ! 

Great  Father  !  thy  wisdom,  thy  goodness,  and  power. 

Revealed  in  yon  firmament,  lo,  i  adore  : 

My  dearest  attachments  to  Thee,  1  resign, 

Since  the  God  of  creation — of  comets,  is  mine." 

His  hospitality  was  proverbial.  Strangers  were  an.xious 
to  cultivate  his  acquaintance,  and  though  incessantly  en- 
gaged, he  found  sufficient  time  to  give   thorn  all   a  hearty 


164  MEMOin      OF 

welcome,  and  a  social  interview.  In  reviewing  this  part 
of  his  life,  it  seems  almost  incredible  that  such  varied  and 
laborious  exercises  should  have  been  sustained  by  one  man. 
His  addresses  to  the  theological  students,  at  the  close 
of  their  studies,  manifest  the  deep  interest  which  he  cher- 
ished for  their  prosperity.  That  which  follows  was  the 
last  he  ever  delivered  on  an  occasion  of  this  kind.  It  oc- 
cured  in  the  Sansom  street  meeting-house,  in  Philadelphia, 
a  short  time  before  the  removal  of  the  institution  to  the 
city  of  Washington. 

"  My  young  Brethren, 

"  The  period  has  arrived  for  your  leaving  an  Institu- 
tion, in  which  most  of  you,  for  the  last  three  years,  have 
been  actively  engaged  in  the  pursuits  of  literature,  with  a 
special  reference  to  those  sacred  services,  which  you  are 
desirous  should  constitute  the  business  of  your  earthly 
existence.  The  memory  of  the  hours  in  which  you  have 
been  studying  to  become  workmen  approved  of  God,  your 
hearts  will  cherish  for  years  to  come.  Your  amiable 
tempers,  your  incessant  application,  your  Christian  de- 
portment, your  pious  zeal  for  the  promotion  of  the  king- 
dom of  the  Redeemer  on  earth,  will,  by  my  worthy 
associate  in  your  instruction,  and  myself,  be  remembered 
with  conscious  satisfaction  while  life  shall  continue.  You 
have  seen  the  Institution  in  all  the  weakness  and  anxiety 
of  infancy,  and  leave  it  in  the  possession  of  that  juvenile 
vigor,  which  it  will  be  your  ambition  and  consolation  to 
promote. 

"  About  to  enter  on  the  active  and  responsible  career  of 
ministerial  life,  permit  me  to  offer  you  a  few  ideas,  which 
I  trust  your  understanding  will  approve,  and  your  piety 
make  use  of  as  the  counsel,  which  a  parting  moment 
suggests. 


DR.      ST  A  UGH  TON.  1G5 

"  The  work  before  you  is  of  the  most  solemn  importance, 
a  work  denied  to  angels.  You  have  to  impress  on  your 
species  a  sense  of  their  moral  defection,  the  enormity  of 
their  guilt,  the  dismal  stain  of  their  depravation,  the  in- 
sufficiency of  human  agency  to  effect  their  recovery,  and 
the  dreadful,  yet  righteous  and  unavoidable  results  to 
which  a  career  of  transgression  exposes.  You  have  to 
develope  the  ancient  decisions  of  infinite  mercy,  to  dis- 
close the  system  of  salvation  which  the  outlines  of 
prophecy,  and  the  veiled,  but  impressive  system  of  shadows 
and  types,  in  the  earlier  ages  of  our  world,  intimated  to 
man.  You  have  to  proclaim  the  glories  of  Him,  who, 
though  rich,  for  our  sakes  became  poor,  that  we  through 
his  poverty  might  be  made  rich;  to  teach  the  necessity  of 
the  renovation  of  the  heart,  of  faith  in  a  Mediator's  name, 
and  of  a  holy  conversation,  to  prepare  a  sinner  for  the 
paradise  of  God.  You  have  to  encourage  the  bosom  op- 
pressed with  iniquity,  to  cast  its  onerous  affliction  on  the 
Lord  Jesus,  to  cheer  the  believer  amid  the  temptations  and 
discouragements  of  the  pilgrimage  he  is  pursuing,  to  arouse 
the  slumbering  professor  of  the  Gospel  into  life  and  exer- 
tion, and  to  train  up  regenerated  men  for  glory  and  im- 
mortality. 

"  That  in  this  sacred  work  you  may  abound  and  suc- 
ceed, cultivate  a  conviction  of  your  own  insufficiency,  and 
by  fervent  supplication  entreat  the  Lord  whom  you  serve 
to  afford  you  the  instructions  of  his  divine  Spirit,  and  the 
stimulating  influence  of  his  grace,  that  you  may  compre- 
hend the  import  of  the  oracles  of  God,  and  continue 
instantly,  in  season  and  out  of  season,  to  preach  the  word 
to  your  fellow^men.  Imagine  not  that  your  release  to-day 
from  the  duties  of  the  Institution,  is  to  be  regarded  as  the 
close  of  studious  application.  If  you  would  attain  to  emi- 
nence in  your  holy  profession,  you  must  continue  to  labor 
15* 


166  MEMOIR     OF 

while   life   shall    endure.      Read   much.      Let   not   your 
knowledge  of  the  languages  in  which  the  Scriptures  were 
originally  written,  be  suffered  to  decay.     On  the  contrary, 
render  yourselves  more  and  more  faniiliar  with  their  con- 
struction and   force.     While   you   value  the  Bible  as  the 
source  of  theological  knowledge,  you  will  find  it  conduce 
to    your    advantage    to   drink    of  those    lateral    reservoirs 
which  enlightened  expositors  have   dug  out.     Draw  from 
the  page  of  history  whatever  can   illustrate  the  visions  of 
prophecy.     Be  masters  of  every  manly  and  beautiful  criti- 
cism that  is  offered  for   the   refuting   of  the  creed  of  the 
infidel,  and  the  improvement  of  the  taste  of  your  hearers. 
Value  highly  the  Avritings  of  our  best  commentators.     The 
rabbinical  quotations  spread   through  the  writings  of  the 
laborious   Gill  ;    the   easy  and  practical  inferences  of  the 
ingenious  Henry  ;    the  judicious  and  elegant  criticisms  of 
the  pious  Doddridge  ;    the  frequently  borrowed,  but  abun- 
dant and   well  selected   observations  of  Burkitt ;    the  wise 
and  original   remarks  of  Poole,    in   the   first  volume  of  his 
Annotations,  and  the  no  less  pious  ideas  of  his  Continuator  ; 
the  sober  reasonings  of  Scott,  and  the  occasionally  eccen- 
tric,   but    frequently    useful,    conceptions  of  Trappe  and 
Clarke,  with  a  multitude  of  others,  will  enlarge  the  sphere 
of  your   information,   and  furnish   an  opportunity  for  ju- 
dicious selection. 

"  In  your  preparations  for  the  pulpit,  never  be  satisfied 
with  the  offspring  of  a  moment.  Such  productions,  like 
the  ephemeras  of  the  natural  world,  may  be  expected  to  be 
short-lived  and  useless.  Accustom  yourselves,  and  es- 
pecially in  the  morning  of  your  existence,  to  careful  and 
laborious  preparation.  If  I  may  use  an  old,  but  happy 
allusion  to  the  services  of  the  ancient  dispensation,  let  the 
oil  you  bring  into  the  temple  be  beaten  oil.  The  present 
is  the  spring  of  your  ministerial  character,  and  your  har- 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  1 67 

vest  will  bear,  with  a  divine  blessing,  an  exact  ratio  to  the 
labors  of  seed-time.  You  will  reap  the  solid  advantage  of 
early  industry,  when  domestic  and  ecclesiastical  toils  shall 
have  so  filled  your  hands,  that  your  leisure  for  study  shall 
have  become  materially  diminished.  Early  studies  are  to 
the  mind,  what  early  temperance  is  to  the  body.  They 
return  a  hundred  fold  the  blessing  of  virtuous  habit  and 
sound  constitution. 

"  Beware  of  the  risings  of  a  pedantic  temper.  Illustrate 
tlie  worth  of  your  improvements  by  the  humility  which 
they  shall  have  created.  Our  Institution  can  suffer  from 
no  source  a  higher  disadvantage  than  from  the  vanity  of 
its  alumni.  Let  it  be  seen,  that  the  knowledge  you  have 
acquired  has  made  you  more  amiable,  more  condescend- 
ing, more  self-denying,  than  the  want  of  such  information 
ever  could  have  effected.  The  young  preacher,  who  feels 
and  acts  under  the  impression,  that  he  is  less  than  the 
least  of  all  saints,  may  seem  to  sink  ;  but  he  sinks  only  as 
vernal  tides,  to  rise  with  augmented  current. 

"  Be  not  hasty  in  the  choice  of  a  station  for  life.  En- 
deavor not  to  control,  but  to  obey  the  providence  of  God. 
His  cloud,  shady  or  illumined,  will  teach  you  when  to 
journey  and  where  to  pause.  Be  careful  in  the  estimates 
you  form  of  human  approbation  and  censure.  Study  the 
sources  whence  they  spring,  and  let  neither  so  far  prevail 
over  your  judgment  as  to  enrapture  or  depress  you. 
Value  the  testimony  that  you  please  God,  above  every 
other  consider.ition. 

"  Imitate  the  primitive  preachers  of  the  Gospel  as  to  the 
theme  and  manner  of  your  public  ministrations.  Study 
attentively  the  character  of  that  illustrious  model,  who  said 
to  his  hearers  ;  '  We  preach  not  ourselves,  but  Christ 
Jesus  the  Lord,  and  ourselves  your  servants  for  Jesus  sake,' 


16S  MEMOIR      OF 

"  Pay  strict  attention  to  the  affections  of  the  heart. 
Send  into  everlasting  exile  the  spirit  of  ambition  and 
pride.  Be  gentle  and  kind  towards  all  men,  and  especially 
towards  your  brethren  in  the  ministry. 

"  Remember,  my  young  brethren,  that  it  is  the  avowed 
aim  of  your  existence  to  be  useful.  Endeavor  to  be  ser- 
viceable to  pious  young  candidates  for  the  ministry  ap- 
proved by  the  churches,  by  introducing  them  into  those 
grammatical,  and  other  studies,  which  the  Institution 
delights  to  recognize,  and  which  will  contribute  as  much 
to  the  establishment  of  your  own  literary  improvement,  as 
it  will  prepare  the  way  for  theirs.  I  need  not  remind  you, 
that  the  Institution  which  has  led  you  thus  far  up  the 
steep  of  mental  refinement,  is  justified  in  hoping  that  her 
maternal  endeavors  will  be  followed  with  filial  affection 
and  support. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  young  friends,  in  behalf  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Baptist  General  Convention,  and 
of  those  who  have  contributed  to  your  subsistence  or  edu- 
cation, I  have  to  bid  you  an  affectionate  farewell.  Bear  with 
you  the  assurances  of  our  most  sincere  attachments,  and 
of  our  readiness  to  every  future  service  that  can  promote 
your  usefulness,  respectability,  or  comfort.  The  Lord  be 
with  you,  the  Lord  bless  you,  and  make  you  a  blessing. 
Amen." 

He  frequently  received  into  his  family  young  men,  sons 
of  his  particular  friends  at  a  distance,  w'ho  came  to  Phila- 
delphia to  attend  the  Medical  Lectures.  With  what 
anxiety  he  watched  over  them,  with  what  kindness  he 
acted  towards  them,  may  be  seen  from  the  following 
extract  of  a  letter  written  by  a  brother  in  the  South. 

Speaking  of  his  son,  he  says;  "  For  all  your  kindness 
to  him,  my  dear  friend,   accept  my  warmest  acknowledg- 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  169 

ments.  You  have  laid  us  under  obligations  which  I  fear 
we  can  never  discharge.  This,  indeed,  we  do  not  pretend 
to  do,  and  we  must  beg  of  you  to  indulge  us,  in  attempting 
to  make  some  expression  of  it  by  act,  as  well  as  by  words, 
when  it  is  in  our  power." 


1  70  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 


CHAPTER  VII. 

His  missionary  spirit — labors  and  usefulness  as  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary of  the  General  Convention — his  sympathy  with  the  mis- 
sionaries of  the  cross — instructions  to  missionaries — confidence  in 
God  under  difficulties — poetry  on  the  sailing  of  the  first  mission- 
aries of  the  Convention — incident  at  the  Philadelphia  Association, 
in  1829 — a  vision. 

With  Fuller,  and  Ryland,  and  Carey,  and  other  dis- 
tinguished ministers,  the  subject  of  this  Memoir  assisted  in 
kindling  the  flame,  which  has  since  lighted  up  the  Christian 
world,  and  by  their  side  he  was  permitted  to  stand  as  a 
pillar  in  the  great  superstructure  of  benevolent  effort.  He 
was  to  the  Baptist  mission  cause  in  this  country,  what 
Fuller  was  among  his  brethren  in  England.  He  was  pres- 
ent at  the  first  missionary  meeting  in  England,  which  was 
held  at  Kettering  in  Northamptonshire,  October  2,  1792. 

We  cannot  pass  by  this  interesting  occasion  hastily.  Wa 
pause,  we  linger  on  the  threshhold,  and  with  gratitude  to 
God,  gaze  upon  the  moral  sublimity  of  the  scene. 

The  origin  of  the  society  formed  at  this  period  may  be 
traced  to  the  celebrated  Dr.  Carey,  whose  praise  has  been 
wafted  to  every  clime.  The  following  interesting  narrative 
of  its  first  establishment,  is  taken  from  the  periodical  ac- 
counts of  the  society,  published  upwards  of  thirty  years 
since  in  England : 

"  The  origin  of  this  society  will  be  found  in  the  work- 
ings of  our  brother  Carey's  mind,  which,  for  the  last  nine  or 
ten  years,  has  been  directed  to  this  object  with  very  little 
intermission.     His  heart  appears  to  have  been  set  upon  the 


D  K.      STAfUIITOX.  171 

conversion  of  the  heathen,  before  he  came  to  reside  at 
Moulton,  in  1786.  It  was  here  he  wrote  the  manuscript, 
which  has  since  been  printed,  entitled, 'An  Inquiry  into 
the  obligations  of  Christians  to  use  means  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  Heathen,'  and  his  conversations,  prayers  and 
sermons,  were  mostly  accompanied  with  something  relative 
to  this  subject.  In  the  year  1791,  being  at  a  meeting  of 
ministers  at  Clipstone  in  Northamptonshire,  after  two  dis- 
courses had  been  preached,  by  brother  Sutcliffe  and  brother 
Fuller,  on  jealousy  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  and  the  pernicious 
influence  of  delay,  he  proposed  a  question,  Whether  it 
were  not  practicable,  and  our  bounden  duty,  to  attempt 
somewhat  toward  spreading  the  gospel  in  the  heathen 
world  ? 

"  But  the  chief  thing  agreed  upon  was,  to  desire  brother 
Carey  to  draw  up  his  thoughts  on  the  subject  and  publish 
them.  At  the  next  association  of  the  Baptist  churches  at 
Oakham,  June  IG,  1791,  it  was  requested  that  brothers 
Sutcliffe  and  Fuller  would  print  the  sermons  above  refer- 
red to;  with  which  request  they  complied,  which  were  fol- 
lowed some  months  afterwards  by  brother  Carey's  '  In- 
quinj'  &c. 

"At  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  association  at  Not- 
tingham, May  31,  1792,  brother  Carey  preached  a  very 
animating  discourse  from  Isaiah  54 :  2,  in  which  he  ex- 
pressed two  things  in  particular,  as  expository  of  '  length- 
ening our  cords  and  strengthening  our  stakes.'  (1.)  That 
we  should  expect  great  things.  (2.)  That  we  should  at- 
tempt great  things.  After  public  worship  was  over,  the 
subject  was  revived,  and  a  resolution  made,  '  That  a  plan 
be  prepared  against  the  next  ministers'  meeting  at  Ketter- 
ing, for  forming  a  society  among  the  Baptists,  for  propagat- 
ing the  gospel  among  the  heathen ;'  and  brother  Carey 
generously  proposed  to  devote  whatever  profits  might  arise 
from  hi3  late  publication  to  the  use  of  such  a  society. 


172  MEMOIR      OF 

"Accordingly  at  a  ministers'  meeting  at  Kettering,  Octo- 
ber 2,  1792,  after  the  public  services  of  the  day  were  end- 
ed, the  ministers  retired  to  consult  further  on  the  matter, 
and  to  lay  a  foundation  at  least  for  a  society,  when  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  proposed  and  unanimously  agreed 
to. 

Resolutions,  ^^c. 

"  1.  Desirous  of  making  an  effort  for  the  propagation  of 
the  Gospel  among  the  heathen,  agreeably  to  what  is  recom- 
mended in  brother  Carey's  late  publication  on  that  subject, 
we,  whose  names  appear  in  the  subsequent  subscription,  do 
solemnly  agree  to  act  in  society  for  that  purpose. 

"  2.  As  in  the  present  divided  state  of  Christendom,  it 
seems  that  each  denomination,  by  exerting  itself  separately, 
is  most  likely  to  accomplish  the  great  ends  of  a  mission,  it 
is  agreed  that  this  society  be  called,  The  Particular  Baptist 
Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  amongst  the  Heathen. 

"  3.  As  such  an  undertaking  must  needs  be  attended 
with  expense,  we  agree  immediately  to  open  a  subscription 
for  the  above  purpose,  and  recommend  it  to  others. 

"  4.  Every  person  who  shall  subscribe  ten  pounds  at 
once,  or  ten  shillings  and  sixpence  annually,  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  a  member  of  the  society. 

"5.  That  the  Rev.  John  Ryland,  Reynold  Hogg,  Wil- 
liam Carey,  John  Sutcliffe,  and  Andrew  Fuller,  be  appoint- 
ed a  committee,  three  of  whom  shall  be  empowered  to  act 
in  carrying  into  effect  the  purposes  of  the  society. 

"  6.     That    the    Rev.  Reynold     Hogg,    be    appointed 
Treasurer,  and  the  Rev.  Andrew  Fuller,  Secretary. 

"7.  That  the  subscriptions  be  paid  in  at  the  North- 
ampton ministers'  meeting,  October  81,  1792,  at  which  time 
the  subject  shall  be  considered  more  particularly,  by  the 
committee  and  other  subscribers  who  may  be  present. 

"Signed,  John  Ryland,  Reynold  Hogg,  John  Sutcliffe, 
Andrew  Fuller,  Abraham  Greenwood,  Edward  Shar- 
man,  Joshua  Burton,  Samuel  Pearce,  Thomas  Blun- 
dell, William  Staughton,  John  Eayres,  Joseph  Timras ; 
whose  subscription  in  all  amounted  to  £12  2s.  6d." 


])  R.      S  T  A   U  G  H  T  O  N.  173 

What  luitli  God  wrought!  Tliis  small,  but  solemn 
meeting  may  be  considered  as  having  first  given  to  the 
Christian  world  that  missionary  impulse,  which  is  the  glory 
of  our  age,  and  as  having  roused  up  the  spirit  that  had  been 
sleeping  from  the  days'of  the  apostles.  Not  more  certainly 
did  the  providence  of  God  raise  up  Washington,  and  those 
noble  minds  by  whose  influence  he  was  sustained  in  our 
revolutionary  struggle,  with  a  view  to  the  destruction  of  the 
oppressor  and  the  ultimate  liberty  of  the  world ;  than  did 
His  holy  Spirit  impart  to  Carey  and  those  excellent  men 
by  whom  he  was  surrounded,  an  apostolic  zeal  for  the  con- 
version of  the  heathen,  and  the  final  establishment  of  the 
gospel  in  all  the  earth. 

Millions  in  ^sia,  Africa,  and  the  isles  of  the  sea,  thai  at 
the  close  of  the  last  century,  were  sunk  in  absolute  dark- 
ness, unacquainted  with  the  character  of  Jehovah  and  the 
mediation  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  are  now  reading  in  their 
own  tongues  the  wonderful  works  of  God. 

Dr.  Staughton  has  frequently  observed,  that  he  considered 
his  being  present  at  that  meeting,  and  contributing  all  the 
money  he  had  with  him,  which  was  half  a  guinea,  as  one 
of  the  best  achievements  of  his  life.  He  was  the  last  of  this 
apostolic  band  that  bid  adieu  to  earth. 

The  spirit  which  animated  that  body,  was  a  ruling  spirit 
in  his  soul  through  life.  It  appears  that  the  subject  of 
foreign  missions  was  agitated  by  him,  at  an  early  period 
of  his  residence  in  this  country.  Under  date  of  August 
3d,  1802,  Rev.  Mr.  Chamberlain  a  missionary  to  India, 
who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  this  country,  and  spending  a 
few  days  with  Dr.  Staughton  at  Burlington,  writes : 

"  Brother  Staughton,  of  Burlington,  is  principal  of  the 
academy  in  this  place,  and  has  lately  been  presented  with 
16 


174  MEMOIR     OF 

a  diploma  from  Princeton  college.  He  interests  himself 
much  in  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  partakes  of  a  missionary 
spirit,  and  stands  as  a  witness  against  the  negligence  of 
many  in  this  country  who  profess  Christianity.  At  several 
associations  he  has  proposed  that  something  should  he  done 
for  the  spread  of  the  gospel  among  the  heathen,  and  though 
it  has  been  hitherto  in  vain,  yet  he  renews  his  applications 
every  year,  and  I  hope  he  will  finally  succeed.  His  object 
is  to  establish  a  society  in  this  place  to  co-operate  with  the 
Baptist  Missionary  Society  in  England,  or  to  send  mission- 
aries among  the  heathen  from  hence." 

It  is  necessary,  in  this  place,  to  take  a  short  view  of  the 
origin  of  Baptist  missions  in  this  country,  and  the  means 
by  which  the  subject  of  this  Memoir  was  introduced  to 
those  official  labors,  which,  under  God,  have  so  richly 
contributed  to  the  advancement  of  the  missionary  en- 
terprise. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Judson,  Newell,  Hall,  Nott  and  Rice, 
were  set  apart  as  missionaries  to  the  East  Indies,  at  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  on  the  sixth  day  of  February  1812,  and  on 
the  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  of  the  same  month,  part  in 
the  ship  Harmony  from  Philadelphia,  and  part  in  the  Car- 
avan, from  Salem,  sailed  for  their  destination  under  the 
patronage  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for 
Foreign  Missions.  Brethren  Judson  and  Newell  with  their 
wives,  arrived  at  Calcutta  on  the  eighteenth  of  June  fol- 
lowing, and  on  the  next  day  proceeded  to  the  Mission 
House  at  Serampore,  about  fifteen  miles  up  the  river,  where 
they  were  most  affectionately  welcomed.  The  missionaries 
in  the  ship  Harmony  arrived  about  six  weeks  after  the  Car- 
avan. 

During  their  passage  Mr.  Judson  thought  much  of  the 
circumstance  that  he  was  going  to  Serampore   where  all 


D  K.      S  T  A  f  G  U  T  O  .N  .  175 

were  Baptist;;,  and  tliat  lie  .should,  in  all  probability,  have 
occasion  to  defend  infant  sprinkling.  To  be  prepared  for 
this  exigency  he  began  to  examine  the  foundations  of  pedo- 
baptisni.  Tlie  more  he  examined,  the  more  he  was  con- 
vinced that  it  had  no  support  from  the  word  of  God.  His 
mind  was  nearly  made  up  before  he  arrived  in  India.  lie 
still  pursued  the  subject  after  his  arrival,  and  read  all  the 
authors  he  could  obtain  on  both  sides  of  the  question. 
Finally  he  became  convinced  that  he  had  never  been  bap- 
tized, and  that  he  could  not  conscientiously  sprinkle  infants. 
At  an  early  period  of  the  examination,  he  suggested  his 
difficulties  to  his  companion,  and  after  a  solemn  and  prayer- 
ful investigation,  she  became  perfectly  satisfied,  that  the 
immersion  of  a  professing  believer,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
is  the  only  Christian  baptism.  They  were  both  baptized 
on  the  sixth  of  September,  in  the  Baptist  chapel  in  Cal- 
cutta. The  Rev.  Mr.  Rice,  also,  entered  into  an  exami- 
nation of  the  subject,  and  in  a  few  weeks  after  this,  he  was 
also  baptized. 

Their  situation  was  now  embarrassing.  Their  connex- 
ion with  the  American  Board  was  virtually  dissolved,  and 
it  was  doubtful  whether  the  Baptists  in  America  would 
organize  a  society  and  direct  their  attention  to  Foreign 
Missions.  The  brethren  at  Serampore,  wrote  letters  to 
some  of  the  most  distinguished  Baptists  in  this  country,  and 
recommended  to  their  attention  this  fiivorable  opening  in 
providence  for  their  enterprise  in  this  great  work.  This 
small  m.issionary  band  were  impressed  with  the  conviction, 
that  it  was  the  duty  of  Mr.  Rice  to  return  to  the  United 
States,  and  to  employ  his  efforts  in  awakening  the  Baptist 
churches  to  the  importance  of  the  subject.  In  the  mean 
time  providence  directed  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson  to  the  Bur- 
man  empire,  as  the  scene  of  their  future  labors.  The 
Rev.   Mr.  Rice   accordingly  returned,   and,   sustained  by 


1 76  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

many  brethren  of  enlarged  benevolence  and  influence,  and 
particularly  by  the  special  providence  that  threw  this  op- 
portunity in  their  way,  was  highly  successful  in  awakening 
a  missionary  spirit,  and  originating  a  large  number  of  Mis- 
sionary societies  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  In  the 
month  of  April,  1814,  was  formed  at  Philadelphia,  the  Bap- 
tist General  Convention,  since  called  "  The  General  Con- 
vention of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  United  States 
for  Foreign  Missions,"  and  for  other  important  objects  re- 
lating to  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  Of  this  body  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Staughton,  who  was  one  of  its  founders,  was  appointed 
Corresponding  Secretary,  which  he  held  till  the  Convention 
of  1826,  when  it  was  determined  to  locate  the  Board  of 
Managers  in  Boston. 

His  work  in  this  department  was  extensive  and  respon- 
sible. To  those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  infancy  of 
the  Board  of  Managers,  and  the  difficulties  which  they  had 
to  encounter,  it  is  perfectly  obvious,  that  nothing  short  of 
holy  prudence,  wisdom,  and  decision  could  have  steered 
the  trembling  bark  on  its  boisterous  passage.  These  qual- 
ifications eminently  characterized  the  subject  of  this  Me- 
moir. His  was  the  hand  that  gave  direction  to  the  move- 
ments of  the  body,  and  contributed  so  successfully  under 
the  divine  blessing,  to  its  prosperity  and  usefulness.  Famil- 
iar with  all  the  ofiicial  documents  of  the  Board,  and  favored 
with  a  discriminating  mind,  his  plans  were  matured,  and, 
sustained  by  appropriate  arguments,  rarely  failed  to  secure 
the  cordial  co-operation  of  his  brethren.  Never  did  he  at- 
tempt to  assume  the  oflice  of  dictator ;  but  with  mildness, 
with  the  highest  regard  for  the  opinions  of  others,  and  with 
a  decision  that  indicated  his  confidence  in  the  God  of 
missions,  he  recommended  measures  and  supported  them. 

The  acting  Board  in  Philadelphia  was  the  subject  of 
some   serious  charges,    and    Dr.    Staughton  received   the 


D  K.      S  T  A  L  G  H  T  O  \.  1T7 

largest  share,  as  the  supposed  originator  of  its  objection- 
able measures.  But  in  the  Convention,  held  in  May, 
1817,  which  was  composed  of  about  forty  delegates  from 
various  sections  of  the  United  States,  these  charges  re- 
cciv(>d  a  most  triumphant  refutation.  In  accordance  with 
a  reiiuest  of  the  Board  that  their  measures  should  be 
examined,  a  re. ^^pec table  committee  unanimously  presented 
tlir  followinir  report,  which  received  the  sanction  of  the 
Convention. 

"  The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  that  part  of  the 
address,  in  which  the  Board  '  respectfully  ask  of  the  Con- 
vention an  attentive  in\estigation  of  their  conduct,  and  an 
avowal  of  the  sentiments  of  your  body,  whether  it  deserve 
censure  or  support  V  beg  leave  to  report,  that,  after  a  sat- 
isfactory investigation  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Board, 
they  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion,  that  the  Board  de- 
serve the  explicit  approbation  and  thanks  of  this  Conven- 
tion, for  their  zealous  and  unremitting  labors.  Your 
committee  are  sensible  of  the  embarrassments  which  have 
impeded  the  operations  of  the  Board,  and  cannot  but  view, 
with  reoret  and  disapprobation,  the  measures  which  have 
been  taken  by  certain  individuals  to  impair  the  public 
confidence,  and  to  repress  the  missionary  spirit,  which  has 
been  so  happily  and  extensively  e.xcited. 

Jesse  Mercer,  Chairman. 

D.wiEL  Sji.vrp,  Secretary." 

As  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Convention,  an 
immense  amount  of  writing  was  requisite,  and  while  others 
were  enjoying  the  repose  of  sleep,  he  was  often  laboriously 
cnwao'ed  in  preparing  communications  of  an  official  char- 
acter. The  annual  addresses  were  written  by  him,  and 
manv  of  the  reports,  which  were  called  for  at  the  meetings 
of  the  Convention. 
16* 


178  MEMOIR      OF 

If  missionary  information  was  desirable  for  the  prepara- 
tion of  a  sermon  on  a  special  occasion,  or  for  the  purpose 
of  writing  a  report  in  relation  to  any  of  the  missionary  sta- 
tions, his  brethren  felt  it  their  pleasure  to  solicit,  and  their 
advantage  to  employ  the  information  he  was  capable  of 
imparting. 

To  encourage  the  missionaries  in  their  work  was  his 
great  delight.  Amid  the  numerous  toils  it  was  his  to 
experience,  he  remembered  them  still.  He  was  anxious 
that  others  should  cheer  their  hearts  by  friendly  corres- 
pondence, and  he  who  would  read  the  breathings  of  his 
soul,  may  read  them  in  the  following  familiar  effusion  to 
his  friend  and  brother,  Mr.  Maylin.  He  had  resided  in 
India  many  years  in  intimate  intercourse  with  the  Seram- 
pore  band,  but  was  at  this  time  on  a  visit  to  New  York,  in 
company  with  brother  Fernandez. 

"  I  have  this  morning  had  an  interview  with  Captain 
Bowen,  of  the  ship  Helvetius.  He  intends  sailing  in  about 
fifteen  days  for  Calcutta,  and  offers  to  take  any  letters  or 
packets  we  may  choose  to  transmit.  Receiving  the  intel- 
ligence thus  early,  you  may  have  time  to  prepare  commu- 
nications. An  hour  each  morning  spent  in  writing  to  India 
will  be  time  well  improved.  The  arrival  of  a  vessel  from 
Philadelphia,  without  letters  from  you,  v.'ill  pain  the  friends 
of  the  Mission  House.  On  the  contrary,  conceive  the  lustre 
that  will  be  kindled  in  the  countenances  of  Carey,  Marsh- 
man,  Ward,  and,  especially,  in  the  face  of  a  father  and  friend 
of  Fernandez,  at  Dinagepoor,  when  a  native  comes  running 
and  crying,  '  Bolottee  Sahaib,'   '  Bolottce  Sahaib.'  " 

To  the  missionaries  in  India,  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
writing  frequently,  communicating  such  intelligence  as  he 
thought  might  cheer  their  hearts  and  encourage  them  to 
renewed  exertions.  Papers  and  pamphlets  calculated  to 
impart  light  in  reference  to  the  operations  of  their  brethren 


UK.      STAUGHTON.  179 

ill  this  country,  lie  would  forward  by  every  favorable  op- 
portunity tliat  occurred.  This  was  not  done  as  an  act  of 
mere  duty,  but  one  of  pleasure.  lie  was  fretjuently  in 
search  of  such  opportunities,  and  gladly  availed  himself  of 
every  mode,  in  which  he  could  transmit  information  aiid 
encouragement. 

The  instructions  which  he  was  in  the  habit  of  directing 
to  missionaries,  exhibit  the  fact,  that  he  was  exceedingly 
desirous  of  promoting  the  Gospel  among  the  heathen,  and 
that  he  was  particularly  concerned  for  the  deportment  of 
the  missionaries  themselves,  that  through  their  example, 
the  influence  of  divine  truth  should  be  recognized. 

Letter  to  one   of  the    Missionaries,    tinder   date   of   Oc- 
tober 10,  1816. 
"  My  dear  Friend, 

"  Your  communication  from  Calcutta,  together  with  the 
parcel  of  letters  you  transmitted,  has  come  safe  to  hand. 
Our  prayers  are  answered,  and  you  are  borne  in  safety  to 
your  desired  haven.  I  am  happy  that  your  passage  has 
proved  so  comfortable,  and  that  the  kindness  of  the  Cap- 
tain has  been  so  distinguished  and  uniform.  God,  who 
lias  the  hearts  of  all  persons  in  his  hands,  can  raise  up 
friends  for  his  children  where  and  when  he  pleases.  Past 
deliverances,  I  hope,  will  assist  you  to  exerci;?e  future  con- 
fidence. 

"  Your  character,  my  sister,  from  the  opposition  of 
enemies  and  the  interested  feelings  of  friends,  has  ac- 
quired a  publicity,  that  will  require  much  prudence,  cir- 
cumspection and  prayer.  May  the  Lord  assist  you  day  by 
day.  Cherish  to  the  utmost  possible  extent  a  conciliating 
temper.  Forgive  not  only  seven  times,  but  seventy  times 
seven.  Take  care  lest  self-respect,  should  degenerate  into 
self-importance.     Be  willing  to  be  any  thing,  provided  the 


180  MEMOIR     OF 

cause  for  which  you  have  given  up  the  endearments  of 
your  natal  soil  and  home,  may  be  promoted.  Study  only 
and  ever,  the  things  that  make  for  peace.  You  know  I 
am  your  friend,  your  pastor  ;  you  call  me  your  father.  I 
am  sure,  under  such  relations,  you  can  bear  advice  dic- 
tated by  the  purest  affection,  and  intended  to  promote 
your  personal  comfort,  and  the  honor  of  the  infant  mission. 

"  Our  Board  will  be  happy  to  hear  from  you  all,  what 
are  the  expenses  of  living  at  Rangoon,  that  we  may  ac- 
commodate our  remittances  to  your  comfort.  In  this  we 
request  you  to  be  explicit.  The  Board  feels  it  a  sacred 
duty  to  practise  economy  ;  but  it  feels  the  duty  equally 
sacred,  that  your  conveniences  be  met  and  your  happiness 
promoted. 

"  I  trust  you  will  be  able  to  live  near  the  Lord.  You 
will  find  his  presence  capable  of  cheering  your  heart  under 
every  change,  and  be  able  to  say,  '  I  can  do  all  things 
through  Christ,  which  strengtheneth  me.'  I  have  often 
admired  the  motto  of  Mr.  Cruden's  family  coat  of  arms, 
'  Nil  desperandum  Christo  duce,' — Never  despair  with 
Jesus  for  your  leader." 

To  another  of  the  3IissionaHes, 

"  Philadelphia,  Oct.  2,  18IS. 
"  Dear  Brother, 

"  Called,  as  you  have  been,  to  the  important  office  of  a 
missionary  of  the  cross,  agreeably  to  a  custom  of  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  under  whose  patronage  you  go 
forth,  they  present  you  with  a  few  general  instructions, 
which  they  hope  may  contribute  to  your  assistance  and 
comfort. 

"  As  you  are  about  to  labor  in  a  sphere  corresponding 
with  that   occupied  by  our   beloved  brother,  the   Rev.  Mr. 


DR.    S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  S.  181 

Ranaldson,  the  Board  wishes  you  to  consider  tiic  sub- 
stance of  the  instructions  given  to  him  as  directed  to  your- 
self, and  trust  that  the  same  fervors  of  holy  zeal  and 
unwearied  exertion,  which  he  has  so  pleasingly  discovered, 
will  he  found  in  you.  In  him,  and  in  our  worthy  brother. 
Dr.  Cooper,  you  will  find  affectionate  friends  and  able 
counsellors. 

"  In  the  regions  of  the  Mississippi  State,  and  in  Louis- 
iana, where  the  gospel  is  rarely  preached,  you  will  perceive 
an  important  field  of  action,  which  we  wish  you,  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  endeavor  to  occupy  ;  but  still 
the  Board  wish  you  to  have  an  eye  directed,  as  far  as  may 
be,  to  the  Indians  in  the  Vicst.  Visit  them  when  you 
can,  and  communicate  all  you  can  collect  relative  to  their 
local  situation,  and  the  probable  opeiiings  for  doing  good 
among  them.  The  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  are 
debtors  to  those  unhappy,  and  untaught  wanderers ;  and 
the  Christian  community  feel  their  obligation  to  contribute 
to  the  discharge  of  the  debt.  The  American  Baptists,  in 
common  with  their  brethren  of  other  denominations,  are 
anxious  to  convince  the  natives,  that  the  Son  of  Man 
came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives,  but  to  save  them. 

"  We  hope  you  w'ill  be  enabled  to  '  Walk  in  wisdom,' 
and  that  the  presence  of  the  Redeemer,  and  the  influences 
of  his  good  Spirit,  will  afford  you  consolation  and  guidance. 
We  shall  be  happy  to  hear  from  you  often,  and  hope  you 
may  have  tidings  to  communicate,  that  will  impart  evan- 
gelic pleasure  to  our  hearts,  and  to  the  hearts  of  thousands. 
^YiLLiAM  St.\ughto.\,  Cor.  »SVr." 

Every  thing  that  related  to  missions  deeply  affected  his 
heart,  and  nothing  more  so  than  the  death  of  its  distin- 
guished advocates.  This  was  not  merely  the  feeling  of 
regret,  he  improved  the  dispensation. 


182  MEMOIR      OF 

In  a  letter  to  a  distant  friend,  dated  Philadelphia,  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1815,  he  writes ;  "  An  excellent  veteran  in  the 
mission  cause,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sutcliffe,  who,  with  Ryland 
and  Fuller,  formed  our  great  missionary  triumvirate,  has 
gone  to  his  heavenly  home.  The  last  words  of  this  emi- 
nent saint  were, 

'  I  have  tasted  Canaan's  grape.?, 

But  O,  I  long  to  go 
Where  my  dear  Lord  his  vineyard  keeps, 

And  grapes  in  clusters  grow.' 

"  O  !  that  our  latter  end  may  be  like  his.  Samson, 
when  about  pressing  down  the  pillars,  exclaimed,  '  Let  me 
die  with  the  Philistines.'  I  would  rather  say,  '  Let  me 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous.'  " 

His  confidence  in  the  overruling  providence  of  God  was 
steadfast.  When  some  intelligence  reached  the  Board, 
that  he  feared  might  be  employed  against  the  mission  by 
its  opposers,  he  felt  assured  that  the  hand  of  God  v/ould 
direct,  and  that  no  weapon  formed  against  them  should 
prosper.  He  observed  to  a  friend,  "  Fear  not;  He  reigns, 
the  Lord  the  Saviour  reigns,"  the  kingdoms  are  his.  He 
must  increase.  If  no  mountains  towered,  no  vallies  sunk, 
how  could  we  hope  to  see  the  power  displayed,  by  which 
every  valley  is  exalted  and  every  mountain  and  hill  laid 
low  ?" 

In  every  event,  it  was  his  felicity  to  acknowledge  the 
hand  of  God.  To  Mrs.  White,  then  in  New  York,  and 
about  to  sail  to  India,  as  a  missionary,  he  wrote  the  lines 
under  date  of  August  25,  1815.  ^'^  God  is  with  us  !  The 
best  ship  in  the  harbor  of  Philadelphia  is  at  the  service 
of  brother  Hough  and  yourself  The  passage  wiiJioiit 
money.'" 

The  following  hymn   was   composed  by  him    at  New- 


1)  K.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  X.  183 

castle,  upon  tlie  mailing  of  these  missionaries  for  India,  on 
the  l"2th  of  December,  1815. 

'•  Adieu.  loved  friends,  in  Jesus'  name 

We  bid  the  heart-inspired  adieu ; 
In  yon  fair  bark  descend  the  stream, 

To  Indian  climes  your  course  pursue. 

'•Affection  soft  and  memory  stand. 

To  liold  you  to  your  natal  soil ; 
But  grace  can  stretch  the  parting  hand, 

Possessed  of  all  in  Jesus'  smile. 

"A  thousand  prayers  for  you  ascend, 

A  thousand  blessings  shall  return, 
Diffused  by  that  imperial  Friend, 

Whose  glor}-  bids  your  bosoms  burn. 

'•  Brethren,  beloved,  on  eastern  shores, 

Shall  hail  you  welcome  to  the  field  ; 
Prudence  unveil  her  sacred  stores. 

And  Love  her  rich  refreshments  yield. 

"  Go  firm  in  faith,  maintain  the  fight, 

Jehovah  shall  all  nations  know, 
Veils  shall  be  rent,  and  banished,  night. 

Where  beams  the  sun  or  breezes  blow. 

'■Sustained  by  heaven,  devoutly  swear, 

Perpetual  league  of  heart  and  hands  ! 
Nor  hell,  nor  earth,  nor  time  shall  tear 

The  sweet,  inviolable  bands. 

"A  few  more  moons,  and  we  shall  meet. 

Our  labors  and  our  sufferings  o'er; 
And  stand  and  sing  at  Jesus'  feet. 

Nor  mourn  dividing  oceans  more." 

Whatever  might  contribute  to  awaken  or  to  sustain  the 
missionary  spirit,  h'.G  heart  was  prepared  to  employ.  He 
fr^nubntly  read  iettp' 3  received  from    his  friends   upon   the 


184  MEMOIR      OF 

subject  of  missions,  and  by  this  means  assisted  to  keep 
alive  the  missionary  flame.  Sometimes  he  would  accom- 
plish the  same  end  by  the  exhibition  of  idols  received  from 
India,  with  a  description  of  their  object  and  the  character 
of  that  devotion  with  which  the  worshipper  knows  them. 
Most  of  these  were  subsequently  presented  to  the  museum 
of  Mr.  Peale,  where  they  excited  considerable  public  at- 
tention. 

He  frequently  travelled,  and  obtained  considerable  sums 
for  mission  and  education  purposes,  and  on  these  occasions 
threw  all  the  weight  of  his  character  and  the  influence  of 
his  eloquence  into  the  scale.  How  many  dormant  spirits 
he  was  instrumental  in  arousing,  how  many  feeble  hands 
he  strengthened,  the  day  of  judgment  alone  can  exhibit. 

A  respected  brother  of  Philadelphia  has  furnished  me 
with  an  incident  that  strongly  marks  the  vigor  of  his  mis- 
sionary spirit.  "  The  last  Philadelphia  Association  he  at- 
tended, in  October,  1829,  some  queries  were  introduced 
by  one  of  the  churches,  calling  their  attention  to  more 
vigorous  exertions  for  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  A  desire  being  expressed  to  postpone  the  sub- 
ject, roused  at  once  all  his  former  energies,  and  he  warmly 
contended  that  the  subject  required  every  thing  to  give 
place  to  it.  The  business  of  the  Association  is  the  promo- 
tion of  the  religion  of  Christ,  if  not,  their  existence  is  use- 
less. The  effect  of  this  was  such  as  to  induce  that  body 
to  engage  their  immediate  attention  to  missionary  exertions. 
The  remainder  of  the  session  was  really  a  manifestation  of 
divine  power,  in  provoking  one  another  to  love  and  good 
works.  At  this  meeting  considerable  suras  were  pledged 
for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  the  cause  of  Missions." 
This  is  but  one  example  among  many  in  which  his  zeal, 
his  convincing  arguments  and  his  eloquence,  contributed 
to  kindle  the  missionary  flame. 


D  K.      S  T  A  f  G  11  T  O  N.  185 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Convention  in  New-York,  in 
18'2G,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 
In  18'29  lie  was  re-elected  to  the  same  office,  and  retained 
it  until  his  death. 

The  fact,  that  his  whole  soul  was  absorbed  in  this  inter- 
esting subject,  is  very  finely  exhibited  in  the  Vision,  which 
he  wrote  and  published  in  the  liattcr  Day  Luminary,  and 
which  cannot  be  read  without  interest. 

A    VISION. 

"  Sitting,  a  few  days  ago,  in  my  easy  chair,  and  medi- 
tating, with  sorrow  of  heart,  on  the  miserable  condition  of 
the  race  of  man,  I  instantly  fell  asleep.  Whether  the 
sleep  were  induced  by  a  despairing  conclusion  that  human 
miseries  would  not  soon  be  abolished,  or  whether,  as  phy- 
sicians frequently  assert,  grief  lulls  the  body  to  slumber, 
and  had  such  an  effect  on  me,  I  cannot  determine.  The 
world  was  scarcely  shut  out  from  my  senses,  before  I  heard 
a  voice  louder  than  thunder,  in  which  majesty  and  sweet- 
ness, decision  and  energy  were  combined,  utter  the  sounds, 
'  Behold,  I  create  all  things  new.'  A  chorus  instantly 
succeeded,  loud  and  harmonious,  the  theme  of  which  was, 
'  Good  will  toward  men.'  I  felt  as  though  I  were  in  a  new 
world.  Involuntarily  I  looked  up  to  the  heavens.  The 
moon  was  setting,  a  few  stars  were  still  visible,  and  the 
increasing  crimson  of  the  east  gave  assurance  that  the 
morning  sun  was  about  to  throw  over  the  earth  its  reviving 
lustre.  But  what,  thought  I,  of  novelty  is  there  here  ? 
These  glorious  luminaries  may  hereafter  become  useless  in 
the  system  of  things,  and  the  power  that  framed  may  de- 
stroy them  ;  yet  as  they  are  not  objects  of  moral  turpitude, 
whence  the  necessity  of  creating  them  anew  ?  Occupied  in 
reflection,  I  heard  again  the  music  of  heaven  in  sounds 
more  combined  and  vigorous  than  before.  I  saw  a  form 
17 


186  MEMOIR      OF 

descend,  mild  and  trailing  as  a  shooting  star ;  he  came 
nearer,  sustaining  a  roll  in  his  hand,  and  suppressed  my 
alarm,  by  saying,  'Child  of  dust,  dismiss  thy  apprehen- 
sions :  he  who  sits  on  the  rainbow  has  seen  thy  sorrow. 
Believe  me,  I  am  the  genius  of  prophecy,  and  am  sent  to 
show  thee  scenes  which  in  a  few  years  shall  be  amply 
realized  :  ascend  with  me.'  He  took  me  by  the  hand :  my 
body  became  light  as  air  the  instant  he  touched  me.  I 
ascended.  '  Seest  thou  yon  hill?'  said  my  instructer. 
'  Mark  it  well.'  Its  summit  was  rugged  and  barren  ;  but 
down  its  sides,  in  every  direction,  I  saw  (for  we  flew  round 
the  hill)  falling  the  most  beautiful  currents.  The  celestial 
messenger  seemed  as  though  he  could  have  continued 
gazing  on  the  spot  forever ;  and  indeed,  when  we  left  it, 
I  remarked  that,  with  a  countenance  beaming  with  joy, 
and  bespeaking  a  heart  occupied  with  contemplation,  he 
would  often  look  back.  I  could  not  help  observing,  that 
wherever  the  streams  directed  their  course,  the  soil,  other- 
wise steril,  was  covered  with  flowers  and  fruits.  I  was 
sorry  to  observe,  that  after  a  while,  the  waters  appeared  to 
run  under  ground,  excepting  here  and  there  a  narrow 
stream  threw  back  the  rays  of  the  sun.  At  length,  after 
miles  of  desolation,  they  again  broke  up,  and  continued, 
v/ith  some  interruptions,  gradually  to  swell.  'Extend  thy 
vision,'  said  the  genius ;  when,  I  know  not  by  what  en- 
chanting virtue,  or  by  what  unperceived  elevation,  I  saw 
the  earth,  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  yielding  her  increase. 
The  cattle  fed  in  large  pastures.  The  vine  gave  her  fruit, 
and  the  heavens  their  dew.  I  was  particularly  delighted 
to  observe  the  interest  which  a  number  of  cherubim  took 
in  the  beautiful  scene.  Now  they  were  flying  through  the 
air,  and  now  apparently  alighting  on  the  ground,  as  if  such 
a  soil  they  could  wish  to  inhabit.  I  could  hear  them  say- 
ing, partly  in  the  voice  of  proclamation,  and  partly  in  song. 


DR.      STAUG}ITON.  187 

'  The  glorious  Lord  will  be  unto  us  a  place  of  broad  rivers 
and  streams.'  I  could  not  forbear  asking  the  name  of  the 
hill  whence  these  blessings  issued.  I  was  answered,  '  It 
is  Calvary,  where  the  Lord  was  crucified  :  but  come,'  said 
the  genius,  '  let  us  draw  nearer  to  these  happy  regions.' 
But  how  shall  I  describe  what  I  had  the  felicity  to  observe! 
I  could  not  help  exclaiming, 

O,  scenes  surpassing  fable,  and  yet  true, 
Scenes  of  accomplished  bliss  ! 

In  one  place  I  heard  the  sound  of  ponderous  hammers ; 
thousands  were  busily  employed.  They  were  beating 
swords  into  ploughshares,  and  spears  into  pruning-hooks. 
They  sang  as  they  labored,  and  at  the  end  of  every  stanza 
the  air  rang  with  the  chorus,  '  There  shall  be  war  no  more.' 
I  saw  in  the  same  pasture  the  kid  and  the  lion  sporting, 
and  children  fearlessly  playing  with  adders  and  asps.  The 
countenances  of  the  inhabitants  every  where  exhibited  the 
appearance  of  vigorous  health ;  there  was  not  one  weak  or 
sickly  among  them.  Many  were  far  advanced  in  age  ;  a 
century  or  more  had  passed  over  them.  They  bent  like 
the  grain  of  harvest,  showing  themselves  richer,  because 
older  than  those  around  them.  It  was  gratifying  to  sec 
bands  of  youth  crowding  around  the  aged ;  some  offering 
their  arms  to  sustain  them,  others  presenting  them  milk 
and  fruits,  and  all  listening  to  their  pious  instructions. 
Nearly  every  one  had  under  his  arm  a  book,  which  my 
guide  told  me  was  the  volume  of  inspiration.  Some  of  them 
had  the  book  open,  and  were  offering  observations  more 
sublime,  evangelic  and  lucid  than  any  thing  I  had  ever 
heard  before  ;  even  the  youth  seemed  to  possess  the  men- 
tal vigor  and  clear  discernment  of  manhood.  I  asked  the 
genius  whence  this  wondrous  illumination  had  proceeded  ? 
He  told  me  the  temple  of  God  was  opened  in   heaven,  and 


188  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

that  this  happy  people  had  seen  in  his  temple  the  ark  of  his 
testament. 

"  My  instructer  perceived  my  attention  directed  to  a 
particular  class  of  men,  that  were  almost  every  where  to  be 
traced.  They  seemed  greatly  to  excel  in  the  spirit  of 
wisdom  and  love.  They  always  walked  arm  in  arm.  The 
attachment  of  the  people  to  these  men  was  surprising. 
Some  of  the  men  were  on  their  knees,  and  with  eyes  bright 
with  tears  of  rapture,  cried,  'Lord,  it  is  enough  ! '  A  few 
were  engaged  in  public  addresses  ;  but  most  of  them  were 
saying  to  the  people,  '  In  every  place  your  faith  to  God- 
ward  is  spread  abroad,  so  that  we  need  not  to  speak  any 
thing.'  I  was  informed  they  were  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 
who  had  lived  to  see  the  answer  of  their  prayers  and  the 
fruit  of  their  ministrations. 

"  I  was  struck  with  observing,  at  some  distance,  im- 
mense volumes  of  smoke'  ascending  in  the  air.  My  direc- 
tor invited  me  to  approach  the  spot.  In  one  place  were 
large  furnaces,  with  prodigious  crucibles,  into  which  were 
c:i3t  gods  of  gold  and  silver.  The  workmen  were  so  zeal- 
ous in  their  employ,  that  one  melting-pot  could  scarcely  be 
poured,  before  they  wanted  to  throw  in  other  gods.  The 
matrices  gave  to  each  ingot  characters  which  every  one 
might  read,  '  The  silver  and  the  gold  is  the  Lord's.'  In 
another  place  blazed  a  prodigious  fire,  which  at  first  ap- 
peared composed  of  logs  of  wood,  but,  on  nearer  inspec- 
tion, I  found  them  gods  from  the  forest.  I  recognized  in 
them  the  forms  of  Brumha,  and  Kishnoo,  and  Shivu,  and 
mentioned  them  to  the  genius.  '  Yes,'  added  he,  '  and 
here  are  the  representations  of  Indru,  and  Sooryu,  and 
Guneshu,  and  Kariketu,  and  Ugnu,  and  Puvunu,  and  Vu- 
roonu,  and  Yamu,  and  Gaudama,  and  all  the  three  hundred 
and  thirty  millions  of  Indian  gods  at  once  on  fire.'  Many 
similar  piles  were  seen  in  every  direction.     It  was   really 


U  R.     S  r  A  L  U  H  T  O  X.  ISO 

delightful,  to  observe  witli  whut  eagerness  men  were  car- 
rying their  idols  to  the  pyre.  The  women  and  children 
and  old  men  were  no  less  active  than  the  rest.  '  This,' 
said  the  guide,  '  is  the  way  in  which  God  will  purge  the 
earth,  by  the  spirit  of  burning.'  One  stream  of  fire  as- 
cended more  vivid  than  the  rest.  I  supposed  the  reason 
to  be,  because  the  materials  were  more  combustible.  I 
arrived  just  in  time  to  spell  out  some  few  characters,  for  I 
found  them  to  be  papers,  rolls  and  books.  I  distinctly  dis- 
covered the  words  Koran,  Veda,  Shastra.  'Come  with 
me,'  said  the  genius,  'to  the  other  side  of  the  pile.'  I 
went,  and  saw  amid  the  fire  the  names  of  Chubb,  Collins, 
Herbert,  Shaftsbury,  Hume,  Gibbon,  Paine,  and  several 
others  that  I  do  not  distinctly  recollect.  On  a  neighboring 
spot  were  burning  beads  and  crucifixes,  dispensations  and 
mitres.  As  I  was  contemplating  the  fiery  mass,  I  heard  a 
voice  from  the  sky,  '  These  the  Lord  shall  consume  with 
the  spirit  of  his  mouth,  and  shall  destroy  with  the  bright- 
ness of  his  coming.'  Seeing  at  a  distance-  some  vessels 
very  deeply  laden,  I  asked  my  instructer  what  these  meant? 
He  said,  '  Come  and  see.'  We  hastened  to  the  rivers,  and 
passed,  in  our  way,  many  heathen  temples,  over  each  of 
which  were  written  the  words,  empty,  void,  and  waste.  We 
discovered  that  the  vessels  were  filled  with  gods  of  stone 
and  clay,  which,  with  shouts  of  joy,  the  seamen  threw  into 
the  depths  of  the  ocean,  to  be  seen  no  more. 

"Walking  among  the  inhabitants,  I  could  not  but  re- 
mark that  they  had  some  familiar  terms  in  conversation, 
that  I  never  found  used  so  much  before.  I  often  heard  the 
words,  slwiccrs,  icind,  water  of  the  sanctuary,  jubilee,  year 
of  release,  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house,  latter  days,  and 
the  like.  I  ventured  to  speak  with  one  of  the  happy  peo- 
ple ;  with  which  I  saw  my  conducter  was  not  displeased. 
I  asked.  Do  you  keep  the  Sabbath  ?  The  answer  was,  '  Sir, 
17* 


190  M  E  ai  o  1 11    o  F 

ours  is  perpetual  Sabbath ;  the  seven  thousandth  year  of 
the  creation  of  God  is  come.'  Are  there  any  hospitals,  or 
alms-houses  in  your  regions  ?  '  No,  disease  is  not.'  Have 
you  any  courts  of  judicature,  or  prison  houses?  I  was  told, 
'  the  former  still  remain,  the  latter  are  demolished,  for  the 
people  are  all  righteous.'  I  had  proceeded,  but  the  genius 
said,  '  Come,  let  us  survey  at  large  the  glorious  landscape.' 
We  ascended,  and  pursued  our  way.  The  seas  were  cov- 
ered with  ships,  but  on  every  pendant  were  such  mottos  as 
joy,  love,  peace,  zeal,  holiness,  the  end  is  cotne,  &lc.  &lc. 
In  one  situation  I  saw  multitudes  of  Chinese  occupied  in 
evangelic  devotions.  There  Tartars,  in  immense  congre- 
gations, were  celebrating  the  name  of  Jesus.  Hindoos  and 
Bengalees,  Gentoos  and  Burmans,  were  hailing  the  light 
of  the  glorious  gospel.  Ethiopians  weie  lifting  up  their 
hands  to  the  heavens.  Indians  of  the  west  were  rejoicing, 
that  to  their  deserts  the  excellency  of  Carmel  was  given. 
The  face  of  the  Jew  was  without  a  veil ;  and  the  nances  of 
Mecca  and  Medina  were  in  a  manner  forgotten. 

"  '  These,'  said  my  director,  '  are  some  of  the  glories  of 
future  times,  which  I  have  been  instructed  to  unfold  to 
thee  ;  but  the  half  has  not  been  told.  Return  to  thy  sta- 
tion in  life;  believe  in  the  Lord,  and  bid  adieu  to  thy 
ffriefs.'  The  thought  of  losinor  the  delicrhtsome  vision 
seemed  intolerable.  I  said,  how  long,  my  inestimable  in- 
structer,  shall  it  be,  before  these  glories  shall  be  universally 
realized  ?  He  replied,  '  Come  with  me,  I  will  show  you  the 
hill  of  prophecy.'  Turning  to  the  east,  I  beheld  the  most 
magnificent  eminence  I  had  ever  seen.  Its  base  was 
granite,  coral  and  gold,  on  which  were  engraved,  as  with 
a  pen  of  iron  on  the  rock,  in  letters  which  time  had  not  in 
the  least  degree  defaced,  '  Hath  he  said,  and  shall  he 
NOT  DO  IT?'  The  mountain  rose  sublime  and  awful;  in 
some  parts  it  showed  a  steady  resplendence,   in  others  it 


DR.      ST  A  L  G  H  T  O  N.  191 

was  involved  in  clouds  which  seemed  gradually  vanishing. 
A  bright  effulgence,  descending  from  above,  rested  on  its 
summit,  on  which  stood  forty  or  fifty  venerable  forms- 
Several  of  them  bore  standards  waving  long  and  beautiful. 
On  two,  that  flamed  with  red,  I  saw  the  figures  GGG  and 
1000.  But  several,  which  my  guide  pointed  to  me,  were 
of  the  purest  white.  On  one  was  written,  '  his  times;'  on 
another,  'time,  times,  and  the  dividing  of  a  time;'  on  a 
third,  '  forty  and  two  months;'  on  a  fourth,  'twelve  hun- 
dred and  sixty  days.'  I  regretted  that  a  part  of  the  ensigns 
seemed  wound  round  the  staffs  that  supported  them,  so  that 
I  could  not  ascertain  the  dates,  whence  to  calculate  the 
period  intended.  On  expressing  my  sorrow  on  this  ac- 
count, my  instructer  said,  with  the  greatest  tenderness  of 
manner,  '  You  renieYnber,  child  of  dust,  the  words  of  your 
Lord  and  mine,  '  it  is  not  given  to  you  to  know  the  times 
and  seasons.' '  But,  said  I,  may  we  not  hope  that  in  one 
hundred  and  a  lew  years  all  these  things  shall  come  to 
pass  ?  He  smiled.  I  understood  the  smile  to  say,  yes,  thou 
hast  rightly  divined.  He,  however,  only  said,  opening  the 
scroll  he  held  in  his  hand,  'Read  this.'  I  saw,  in  golden 
letters,  Moravian  missions.  Baptist  Mission  Society,  Lon- 
don Mission  Society,  Bible  societies,  Sunday  schools,  &c.; 
and  the  names,  Elliott,  Brainerd,  Vanderkemp,  Kircherer, 
Carey,  Marshman,  Ward,  &:-c.  I  was  continuing  to  read 
the  opening  roll,  when  the  prophets  on  the  hill  struck  with 
their  lyres  and  uttered  with  their  voices  such  rapturous 
strains,  that,  overpowered  with  their  sweetness,  their  ful- 
ness, and  their  harmony,  I  awoke." 


192  MEMOIR    OF 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

His  private  character — liis  kindness,  affability  and  philantliropy — 
cheerfulness  and  simplicity  in  the  social  circle — his  hospitality — 
friend  of  the  widow  and  orphan — his  pleasure  in  making  others 
happy — several  letters  of  condolence — an  incident — confidence 
which  his  brethren  exercised  in  him — letter  from  Joseph  Butter- 
worth,  member  of  parliament — his  independence  and  decision  of 
character — his  piety — constant  effort  to  promote  piety  among  the 
young,  and  to  be  useful  to  all — his  cheerfulness. 

The  private  character  of  our  deceased  friend  was  as 
amiable  and  unblemished  as  his  public  career  was  useful 
and  splendid.  His  temper  was  naturally  irritable  ;  but 
through  grace,  he  obtained  an  astonishing  command  over 
it,  so  that  to  his  acquaintance,  it  appeared  almost  impossi- 
ble that  any  circumstance  could  destroy  its  equilibrium. 
His  heart  was  susceptible  of  quick  impulse,  and  if,  for  a 
moment,  roused  to  any  thing  like  undue  heat,  it  was  but 
for  a  moment,  and  all  was  forgotten.  His  kindness  and 
affability  were  probably  never  surpassed.  Careless  of  his 
own  convenience,  there  was  no  sacrifice  but  he  was  pre- 
pared to  make,  no  labor  but  he  was  ready  to  undertake,  in 
order  to  promote  the  comfort  of  his  friends.  His  philan- 
thropy was  of  the  highest  order.  To  do  good  was  his 
great  delight,  and  when  his  means  were  incompetent  to 
supply  the  claims  of  benevolence,  he  sought  the  aid  of  the 
wealthy  and  the  influential  in  society,  with  whom  he  had 
an  extensive  intercourse. 

His  company  was  at  all  times  hailed  with  delight.  He  had 
a  peculiar  facility  in  giving  entertainment  to  the  social  circle, 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  0  N'.  193 

by  the  sweet  tiow  of  his  conversation,  and  by  the  animation 
with  which  his  manner  inspired  the  breasts  of  the  aged  and 
the  young.  Tiiere  was  no  ostentatious  display,  no  forbidding 
solemnity ;  traits  often  assumed  for  the  purpose  of  exhibit- 
ing the  dignity  of  the  minister  of  God.  Who  has  not  been 
amused  and  yet  disgusted  by  the  stern  countenance,  the 
stiffened  demeanor,  the  measured  sentence,  and  the  la- 
bored dignity  of  the  Christian  minister,  while  the  young 
sat  chilled  by  the  icy  atmosphere,  and  the  aged  drew  nearer 
to  the  fire  to  warm  their  shivering  frames.  The  subject 
of  this  Memoir  knew  how  to  preserve  the  dignity  of  his 
character,  while  he  could  exhibit  the  simplicity  of  the 
child,  and  act  as  though  he  were  possessor  of  talents 
as  humble  as  the  least  that  surrounded  him.  All  felt  un- 
embarrassed in  his  presence  ;  and  even  the  little  children 
would  approach  him  with  confidence,  and  speak  their  art- 
less strains  encouraged  by  his  voice. 

His  friendship  and  hospitality  knew  no  bounds.  The 
distant  brother  was  welcomed  to  his  house,  and  shared  his 
kindness.  Many  expressions  of  acknowledgment  on  the 
part  of  those  who  visited  him,  were  afterwards  given  in 
their  correspondence. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Chamberlain  has  the  following  memento 
in  his  journal.  '■  Our  visit  at  Burlington  has  been  very 
happy.  The  kindness  we  have  met  with,  in  a  strange 
land,  especially  from  brother  Staughton  and  family,  has 
laid  us  under  great  obligations." 

To  the  poor  he  was  a  devoted  friend.  The  widow  and 
the  orphan  shared  his  sympathies,  and,  impelled  by  the 
generous  tide  of  his  benevolence,  he  contrived  means  to 
contribute  to  their  comfort.  Though  he  had  been  the 
subject  of  many  shameful  deceptions,  yet  his  desire  to 
relieve  the  afflicted  was  not  in  the  least  abated.  He  used 
frequently    to    quote    the    words    of  his  friend,    the  Rev. 


194  M  E  SI  O  I  11      OF 

Samuel  Pearce,  of  Birmingham  ;  "  I  had  rather  be  de- 
ceived ninety-nine  times,  than  turn  one  poor  afflicted 
person  away  unassisted,"  and  the  passage,  "  The  liberal 
deviseth  liberal  things,  and  by  liberal  things  shall  he 
stand."  The  fatal  fire,  which  consumed  the  orphan 
asylum  in  Philadelphia,  on  the  23d  of  January,  1822,  is 
still  fresh  in  the  memory  of  its  inhabitants.  Twenty-three 
children  fell  victims  to  its  flames.  The  poetic  production 
of  his  pen,  which  on  this  occasion  appeared  in  the  public 
prints,  was  not  written  with  a  view  to  fame,  but  with  the 
hope  that  it  might  impress  the  orphan's  condition  with 
greater  force  upon  the  minds  of  the  citizens. 

"  Cold,  cold  was  the  night  and  was  absent  the  moon, 
And  were  sinking  the  stars  in  the  sky, 
When  bursting  in  flame,  the  sad  Orphan  House  shone, 
And  the  sparkles  flew  crowded  and  high. 

"  The  bells  through  the  darkness  toU'd  awful  and  loud, 
And  the  watchmen  cried  mournfully,  '  Fire .'' — 
The  engines  roll'd  rapid,  dragg'd  on  by  the  crowd, 
While  the  sparkles  rose  thicker  and  higher. 

'•  The  engines  were  mighty  and  flexile  the  hose, 
And  active  the  generous  men  ; 

But  the  keen  breeze  of  night  the  sad  current  had  froze, 
And  the  levers  moved  heavy  and  vain. 

"From  the  softness  of  slumber,  and  juvenile  dreams. 
As  frighted  he  sprung  from  his  bed, 
Oh!  sad  on  the  ear  were  the  orphan's  dread  screams, 
Consigned  by  the  blaze  to  the  dead  I 

''  Though  darkness  surround  Thee,  we  bow  to  thy  will, 
The  poor  thy  munificence  share  ; 
Since,  Father  of  Mercies,  thy  providence  still, 
Makes  the  widow  and  orpiian  thy  care." 

Whatever  called  for   gratitude  on  the  part  of  his  friends 
excited  the  same  lively  exercise  in  his  own  bosom.     What- 


D  U.      S  T  A  U  <;  II  T  O  N.  195 

ever  imparted  pleasure  to  his  own  heart,  he  communicated 
under  the  impression  of  a  reciprocity  of  feeling.  No 
apology  is  deemed  necessary  for  introducing  in  illustra- 
tion, a  letter  which  he  wrote  to  a  ministering  brother  then 
in  England. 

"  February  21,  1807. 
"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  I  received  duly  your  aflectionate  letter,  dated  Octo- 
ber 6,  ISOG.  With  multitudes  of  your  Philadelphia  friends, 
I  rejoiced  to  hear  of  your  safe  arrival  in  your  native  land. 
Your  letter  came  to  hand  on  Tuesday  afternoon.  I  read 
the  substance  of  it  the  same  evening  at  Mrs.  Bright's  so- 
ciety, when  we  gave  public  thanks  to  a  prayer-hearing 
God,  and  again  commended  you  to  the  word  of  his  grace. 
The  kindness  you  received  from  Captain  Smith,  the  pre- 
servation you  experienced  while  the  sea  was  strewed  with 
wrecks,  the  recovery  of  your  vessel  from  its  beam  ends, 
call  for  gratitude  and  future  confidence  in  the  name  of 
your  great  deliverer. 

"  I  was  a  few  evenings  ago  at  Mr.  B's.  Himself  and 
Mrs.  B.  had  just  been  revived  by  a  letter  from  their  friends, 
informing  them  that  you  had  been  with  them,  and  that  the 
interview  had  been  conducive  to  your  mutual  gratification. 
You  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.,  and 
their  daughter  Mary,  have  been  united  to  the  church. 

"  In  Philadelphia  the  work  of  the  Lord  seems  on  its  way. 
We  have  had  additions  every  month  since  you  left  us. 
Our  society  meetings  continue  crowded.  We  have  heard 
of  considerable  fruit  from  our  happy  six  o'clock  services  at 
Mr.  Beasly's. 

"  No  communications  have  been  lately  received  from 
India.  The  last,  was  a  letter  to  one  of  our  Boston  breth- 
ren, containing  very  encouraging  information.     You  de- 


196  M  E  JI  O  I  R      OF 

served,  and  you  shared  the  cordial  esteem  of  the  brethren 
of  America,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  you  find  more, 
if  possible,  than  a  counterpart  in  the  affections  of  the 
brethren  in  England.  Do  not,  however,  amid  the  flow  of 
the  latter,  forget  that  the  former  still  remains.  We  are 
waiting  anxiously  the  pleasure  of  welcoming  you  to  our 
altars  and  fire-sides,  and  hope  that  you  Avill  determine 
here  to  winter. 

"  Now,  my  dear  brother,  I  must  once  more  commend 
you  to  the  care  of  our  merciful  Mediator.  May  you  derive 
abundant  profit  from  the  communion  of  saints,  and  at  last 
enter  on  the  pure,  uninterrupted,  and  everlasting  com- 
munion in  heaven. 

"  The  Lord  bless  you.  Write  me  soon  and  often,  and 
when  it  is  well  with  you,  remember  your  affectionate 
brother, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

He  rejoiced  with  those  who  rejoiced  and  wept  with 
those  who  wept.  When  he  learned  that  a  friend  was  in 
affliction,  all  his  sensibilities  were  aroused.  If  his  loca- 
tion justified,  an  immediate  visit  was  the  result,  and  the 
bleeding  heart  acknowledged  its  influence.  If  distance 
interposed,  a  letter,  bearing  on  its  secret  page  the  stamp 
of  affection  and  sympathy,  was  despatched  to  the  mourner. 
The  few  letters  here  presented,  may  serve  to  illustrate  this 
point  of  his  character. 

"  PMladelplda,  April  13,  1813. 
"  Dear  Madam, 

"  Your  favor,  bearing  date  of  the  1st  instant,  did  not 
come  to  hand  until  yesterday,  a  short  time  before  your 
brother  exchanged  this  world  for  a  better.  I  rejoice  to 
learn  that  your  heart  has  been  placed  on  a  gracious  Re- 


DR.    S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  197 

deemer  for  life  eternal,  and  am  pleased  with  the  anxiety 
you  felt  for  the  everlasting  welfare  of  your  brother. 

"  I  have  reason  to  believe,  that  attendance  on  the  wor- 
ship of  the  Lord  first  led  his  mind  to  serious  meditation. 
I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  attending  him  ever  since  his 
confinement,  and  have  been  gratified  to  see  the  work  of 
the  Lord  gradually  deepening  on  his  heart.  His  inquiries 
appeared  very  sincere ;  but  not  until  a  little  before  his 
decease  did  his  soul  attain  to  that  holy  consolation,  which 
an  entire  reliance  on  a  gracious  Mediator  creates.  I  was, 
however,  fully  satisfied  that  his  impressions  were  real,  and 
had  no  doubt  of  their  result.  I  had  a  solemn  interview 
with  him  and  Mrs.  S.  alone,  on  Lord's  day  last,  and 
another  yesterday,  an  hour  and  a  half  before  his  death. 
He  told  me,  '  All  is  arranged  for  this  world,  and  what  is 
infinitely  better,  I  believe  all  is  well  for  the  world  to  come.' 
His  confidence  was  exclusively  on  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  A  short  time  before  his  departure,  his  soul  was 
delightfully  enlarged.  He  begged  his  wife,  and  mother, 
and  friends,  by  no  means  to  weep.  He  saw  his  interest  in 
his  Saviour.  He  knew,  he  said,  he  was  going  to  everlast- 
ing glory,  to  the  company  of  the  blessed  angels  and  saints. 
He  had  no  fear.  After  which  he  cried  out,  '  Lord  Jesus, 
receive  my  spirit,'  and  calmly  fell  asleep. 

"  I  trust  your  heart  will  feel  resigned  to  the  stroke. 
Hope  in  the  death  of  our  dear  relatives,  is  among  the  best 
consolations  we  can  enjoy  when  they  are  gone  from  us. 
I  trust  Mrs.  S.  has  experienced  a  saving  change  in  her 
heart  also." 

The  letter  that    follows,    addressed    to  the  same  lady, 
though  not  strictly  of  the  same  character  as  the  former,  is 
introduced  here  with  a  view  of  showing  his  opinions  upon 
a  subject  of  considerable  interest. 
18 


198  i^l  E  M  O  1  U     OF 

''October,  31,  1814. 
"  Dear  Madam, 

"  By  your  worthy  mother,  who,  I  learn,  leaves  this  place 
for  W.,  I  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  writing  you  a  few  lines. 
I  rejoice  to  find  that  your  heart  glows  with  love  to  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  with  anxiety  for  the  promotion  of  his  most  bless- 
ed cause.  His  name  is,  to  his  people,  as  ointment  poured 
forth ;  and  his  cause  is,  and  ought  to  be  to  us,  dearer  than 
our  lives.  We  have  reason  to  rejoice  that  amid  the  carnage 
of  war,  and  the  convulsions  of  nations,  it  makes  its  silent 
and  triumphant  way.  Missionary  and  Bible  institutions, 
multiply  and  prosper.  The  walls  of  Zion  are  rising,  and 
the  period  is  not  distant,  when  all  the  ends  of  the  earth 
shall  see  the  salvation  of  God. 

"  Your  mind  appears  to  have  been  greatly  exercised  on 
the  diversity  of  sentiment  prevailing  among  the  sincere  fol- 
lowers of  the  Lamb  of  God.  Considering  the  various  powers 
of  the  human  mind  in  different  individuals,  the  diversified 
measure  of  grace  in  the  heart,  and  of  application  in  the 
search  of  truth,  the  power  of  early  prejudices,  and  the  gen- 
eral imperfection  of  the  present  state,  we  cannot  wonder 
that  so  great  a  variety  in  religious  opinions  exists.  The 
Lord  in  his  infinite  wisdom  permits  it,  and  no  change  for 
the  better,  probably  will  occur,  until,  in  the  latter  day  glory, 
the  watchmen  see  eye  to  eye.  Yet  even  this  variety  in 
religious  views  is  capable  of  being  employed  and  improved 
to  useful  purposes.  It  should  remind  us  of  our  frailty, 
provoke  our  investigation  of  the  holy  word  of  God,  that  in 
relation  to  duty  and  doctrine,  we  may  be  satisfied  for  our- 
selves, and  urge  to  that  spirit  of  forbearance  and  candor, 
in  respect  to  others,  which  we  claim  on  the  behalf  of  our- 
selves. Certainly  difference  of  religious  views  should  never 
be  permitted  to  originate  animosity. 

'^  May  the  Lord  guide  you,  by  his  blessed  counsel,  through 
this  vale  of  tears,  and  at  length  receive  you  to  his  glory." 


DR.      STAUGHTON. 


199 


"College  Hill,  D.  C,  November  4,  1824. 
"  My  dear  friend, 

"  I  understand  that  last  evening  tlie  remains  of  your  be- 
loved Jane  were  committed  to  the  silent  mansion  appointed 
for  all  living.  The  trial  must  have  been  peculiarly  severe, 
and  I  rejoice  to  learn  that  you  have  thus  far  borne  up  under 
it  with  that  resignation  and  fortitude,  which  becomes  a 
disciple  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

"  Afflictions  of  this  nature,  through  the  tender  arrange- 
ments of  the  God  of  mercy,  do  not  come  with  their  full 
force.  You  will  yet  feel  that  your  child  '  is  not,'  and  per- 
haps may  yet  say,  '  and  I,  whither  shall  I  go?'  I  have  seen 
your  sister  this  morning,  whose  eyes  are  streaming  with 
sorrow.  I  told  her  I  would  write  you.  I  wish  I  could  offer 
some  word  fitly  spoken,  that  might  be  found  as  '  apples  of 
gold  in  pictures  of  silver.' 

"  Your  Jane  is  not ;  but  remember  your  covenant  God 
remains  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever.  A  summer 
stream  has  been  dried  up,  but  the  ocean  is  as  large  and 
abundant  as  ever.  His  way  may  be  hidden  from  us,  but  it 
is  always  righteous  and  best.  You  will  one  day  see  that 
your  child  has  died  precisely  at  the  right  season.  She  had 
her  time  to  be  born,  and  in  that  you  rejoiced  ;  she  has  had 
her  time  to  die,  and  the  economy  is  as  replete  with  wisdom 
and  mercy,  in  one  part  of  it  as  in  another.  What  you 
know  not  now,  you  shall  know  hereafter. 

"Your  dear  Jane  is  not;  but  what  have  you  lost?  Noth- 
ing but  what  you  know  was  mortal.  She,  like  ourselves, 
was  born  under  the  decree,  '  dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust 
thou  shalt  return.'  Had  she  lived  a  little  longer,  she  had 
still  been  but  a  stranger  and  sojourner  here.  She  has  had 
the  consolation,  which,  under  other  circumstances,  she 
might  not  have  had,  of  a  kind  mother's  hand  to  wipe  from 
her  forehead  the  dew  of  death,  and  to  administer  every 


200  MEMOIR      OF 

comfort  that  affection  could  devise.  And  he  who  provides 
for  our  dying  friends,  will,  when  it  is  requisite,  provide  for 
us  also.  Nay,  more,  he  himself  will  make  all  our  bed  in 
our  sickness.  Though  gone,  she  still  lives  with  you  in  the 
lovely  children  she  has  left  behind,  and  whom,  should  it 
fall  to  your  lot,  yourself  and  brother  M.  will  take  pleasure 
in  training  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

"  Jane  is  not :  but  where  is  she  ?  From  what  I  have 
heard,  she  had  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious,  and  com- 
mitted her  spirit  into  the  hands  of  the  Redeemer.  Let  not 
then  your  thoughts  delight  to  wander  among  the  tombs. 
Let  them  rise  to  the  heavenly  state,  and  anticipate  the  day 
when  your  attachments  shall  be  revived  and  refined,  and 
be  subject  to  no  fear  of  separation  forever. 

"  It  were  easy  to  increase  the  topics  which  are  calculat- 
ed to  allay  the  effervescence  of  grief,  and  to  calm  the  soul 
into  holy  submission.  When  your  heart  becomes  over- 
whelmed within  you,  may  you  be  lead  to  the  rock  that  is 
higher  than  yourself  Open  the  book  of  the  Lord,  there 
you  will  find  patience  recommended  and  comfort  adminis- 
tered. And  recollect  it  is  but  a  short  time,  and  our  sor- 
rows and  conflicts  shall  cease.  Yet  a  little  while  and  the 
soft  hand  of  Jesus  shall  wipe  away  every  tear. 

"  My  family  unite  with  me  in  their  affectionate  sympa- 
thies.    Present  me  aftectionately  to  brother  M.     What  if 

'  Long  nights  and  darkness  dwell  below, 

With  scarce  a  twinkling  ray  ; 
Yet  the  bright  world  to  which  we  go 

Is  everlasting  day.' 

"  Your  brother  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus, 

WM.  STAUGHTON." 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  201 

''Baltimore,  May  24,  1829. 
"  My  dear  sister, 

"  Miss  C.  who  is  staying  awhile  in  Baltimore,  inciden- 
tally mentioned  yesterday,  what  before  I  had  not  heard,  the 
decease  of  your  excellent  husband.  I  am  sincerely  sorry  I 
could  not,  by  the  mingling  of  Christian  sympathies,  diminish 
your  sorrows  at  the  painful  rupture  of  bonds  that  more  than 
half  a  century  had  rendered  you  so  much  of  domestic  delight. 

"  Anxious  to  see  my  dear  children,  I  came  hither  on  the 
close  of  our  business,  transacted  by  our  Convention  and 
Board.  I  hope  to  be  in  Philadelphia  by  Wednesday  next, 
at  farthest.  Still  I  cannot  forbear  weeping  with  those  that 
weep.  I  should  have  been  happy  to  have  attended  the 
funeral  of  a  brother,  whom  I  sincerely  loved.  I  know  full 
well  that  you  feel  yourself  a  widow  sitting  solitarily ;  but 
forget  not,  your  Maker  is  your  husband.  Be  thankful  the 
dear  deceased  was  continued  to  you  so  long.  It  is  only  a 
little  while,  and  you  will  meet  again,  to  part  no  more  for- 
ever. Consider  how  many  mercies  are  left  behind.  Look 
on  your  amiable  children  and  grand  children,  all  of  whom 
are  anxious  to  contribute  to  your  happiness.  Meditate 
much  on  the  promises  of  the  divine  word,  particularly  on 
the  words,  '  I  will  never  leave  thee  ;  I  will  never  forsake 
thee.'  The  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are 
everlasting  arms.  Cast  your  burden  on  the  Lord  in  the 
exercise  of  fervent  prayer,  and  be  assured  that  the  Lord 
will  help  you,  and  strengthen  you  with  the  right  hand  of 
his  righteousness.  Consider  too,  that  the  whole  is  the 
Lord's  doing.  If  a  sparrow  cannot  fall,  much  less  can  a 
saint,  without  the  will  of  a  heavenly  Father.  I  could  mul- 
tiply topics  of  consolation  ;  but  I  know  I  am  writing  to  one 
prepared  to  say,  '  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth 
good  in  his  sight.'  My  children  unite  in  tendcrest  sympa- 
thies. Present  our  affectionate  regards  to  each  of  your 
18* 


202  MEMOIR     OF 

children.     I  hope  in  a  few  days  to  see  you  and  all  of  them. 

Meanwhile,  I   pray  the  Lord  may   be  your  strength  and 

your  stay,  your  light  and  your  salvation. 

"  I   am,  my   afflicted   sister,  your  sincere   friend   and 

brother. 

WM.  STAUGHTON." 

The  reader  will  pardon  the  insertion  of  an  incident 
which,  though  trifling  in  itself,  nevertheless  strikingly  ex- 
hibits the  kindness  of  his  heart.  A  short  time  before  the 
decease  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eastbourne,  known  extensively  as 
a  preacher  at  the  Seaman's  Bethel  in  Philadelphia,  they 
became  passengers  together  in  the  steam-boat  from  Balti- 
more to  the  former  place.  At  that  time  Mr.  Eastbourne 
was  quite  feeble.  The  old  gentleman  being  without  com- 
pany. Dr.  Staughton  paid  very  particular  attention  to  him, 
to  see  that  every  want  was  supplied,  and  anticipated  every 
wish.  Mr.  Eastbourne  felt  the  kindness,  and,  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  repeatedly  said  to  some  of  the  Doctor's  friends, 
"Oh  what  a  dear  friend  Dr.  Staughton  is,  how  he  waited 
on  me  on  board  the  boat;  on  me,  an  old  man, — what  a 
Christian  he  is.  It  must  have  been  the  love  of  Christ  that 
influenced  him  to  be  so  kind  to  me,  an  old  man." 

He  had  the  confidence  of  his  brethren  from  the  North 
to  the  South,  and  from  the  East  to  the  West,  as  far  as  his 
name  was  known,  from  whom  he  received  testimonies  of 
high  respect  and  sincere  affection.  To  name  his  friends, 
would  be  to  repeat  the  names  of  our  wisest  and  holiest 
men.  He  stood  deservedly  high  in  the  estimation  of  all 
who  had  the  honor  of  his  acquaintance,  and  were  capable 
of  appreciating  moral  worth,  both  in  this  country  and  in 
England.  The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  a  dis- 
tinguished individual,  shows  the  high  sense  which  he  en- 
tertained of  his  valuable  character  and  services  in  the  cause 


DR.    s  T  A  r  c  n  T  o  N.  203 

of  trutli.  Tlie  letter  was  written  to  the  Rev.  Alva  Woods, 
then  soliciting  funds  in  England,  for  the  aid  of  the  Colum- 
bian college.     It  is  dated, 

''Bedford  Square,  October  10,  18-22. 

"  I  am  the  more  gratified  by  the  perusal  of  your  docu- 
ments, in  observing,  that  my  highly  respected  friend  the 
Rev.  Dr.  William  Staughton,  has  been  chosen  President 
of  tlie  college,  whose  character  and  talents  so  eminently 
qualify  him  for  that  important  office.  He  was  the  compan- 
ion of  my  childhood ;  and  though  I  have  not  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  him  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  yet  I 
have,  on  many  occasions,  heard  of  his  rising  reputation, 
and  of  his  extensive  and  increasing  sphere  of  usefulness  in 
his  adopted  country. 

"  As  a  small  token  of  respect  and  affection  for  my  old 
friend,  the  President,  and  of  my  cordial  good  wishes  for 
the  success  of  the  Columbian  college,  I  have  to  request 
your  acceptance  of  twenty  pounds,  enclosed,  towards  its 
funds,  which  I  should  most  gladly  have  increased  but  for 
numerous  other  claims. 

"  With  much  respect,  &c. 

JOSEPH  BUTTERWORTH." 

His  life  was  uniformly  marked  by  independence  and 
decision  of  character.  When  his  judgment  was  once 
formed  as  to  the  path  of  duty,  no  difficulties  could  turn  him 
aside,  or  shake  his  confidence  in  God.  He  was  equally 
distinguished  by  a  noble  spirit  of  disinterestedness.  During 
the  period  of  his  residence  in  Philadelphia,  he  received 
nothing  for  his  laborious  services  as  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary of  the  General  Convention.  The  sum  of  four  hundred 
dollars,  annually,  was  voted  to  him  for  this  service  ;  but  he 
permitted  it  to  fall  into  the  mission  funds  to  aid  in  the  great 
Mork  of  evangelizing  the  heathen.     Money  was  never  with 


204  MEMOIR     OF 

him  an  object  of  concern.  Through  his  efforts  in  teaching 
and  the  salary  which  he  received  from  his  church,  his  in- 
come was  large ;  but  the  whole  was  expended  in  the  hospi- 
talities of  his  house,  and  in  the  advancement  of  benevolent 
works. 

His  piety  was  unassuming  and  sincere.  On  one  occa- 
sion, writing  to  a  friend,  he  says:  "Tidings  have  lately 
reached  me  from  London,  of  the  decease  of  one  of  the  most 
excellent  of  mothers.  She  departed  suddenly,  the  chariot 
descended  and  she  almost  instantly  arose.  Oh,  for  habitual 
preparedness  for  heaven."  On  Sabbath  morning  at  family 
worship,  he  uniformly  read  the  eighty-fourth  Psalm.  And 
on  Saturday  evenings,  he  always  remembered  the  mission- 
ary brethren  in  India,  who  were  then  about  commencing 
their  Sabbath. 

Such  was  his  earnestness  to  reconcile  those  from  whom 
he  had  not  received  kind  treatment,  that  an  old  acquain- 
tance bitterly  complained,  that  he  neglected  his  friends  to 
serve  his  enemies.  A  greater  eulogium  on  his  Christian 
character,  could  scarcely  be  offered.  It  was  his  delight  to 
conceal,  as  far  as  possible,  the  infirmities  of  his  brethren, 
and  to  reconcile  their  differences  of  judgment  and  feeling. 
He  was  emphatically  a  peace-maker  ;  and  often,  by  the 
mildness  and  felicity  of  his  interposition,  he  has  succeeded 
in  allaying  the  rising  tempest  of  contention.  His  piety 
was  not  marked  by  gloomy  austerity,  it  was  cheerful, 
active  and  animating.  He  was  remarkable  for  his  cheer- 
fulness ;  but  this  trait  in  him  was  constitutional,  and, 
in  the  hand  of  God,  it  was  overruled  for  the  public  good, 
as  well  as  for  his  own  encouragement.  The  Lord  operates 
through  instrumentalities  of  various  kinds,  and  in  this  na- 
tive buoyancy  of  animal  spirits  was  found  a  powerful  aid 
in  the  support  of  his  mind  under  every  trial. 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  205 

His  spirit  agonized  for  a  blessing  upon  liis  pulpit  labors. 
Walking  home  one  Sabbath  evening  after  the  exercises  of 
the  day,  he  observed  to  his  wife,  "Oil  Jiow  I  desired,  how 
I  panted  that  the  Lord  would  bless  the  word,  to  even  one 
soul  of  the  multitude  !  Oh  could  they  have  had  such  views 
of  the  blessed  Lamb  as  I  had,  surely  love  would  have  con- 
strained them  !  "  This  was  not  an  occasional,  but  the  habit- 
ual desire  of  his  soul.  His  talents  were  not  more  splendid 
than  his  humility  was  lovely.  His  brother  in  Christ,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Peckworth,  who  was  pastor  of  the  Southwark  Baptist 
church  in  Philadelphia,  informed  me,  that  for  many  years, 
every  Saturday  afternoon,  the  Doctor  would  visit  him  and 
converse  upon  the  subject  of  their  exercises  for  the  follow- 
ing day.  He  made  the  proposition  himself,  and  his  first 
inquiry  turned  upon  the  passages  of  Scripture  selected  for 
their  public  addresses.  He  would  then  inquire  of  brother 
Peckworth,  in  what  way  he  intended  to  illustrate  them,  and 
in  the  most  delicate  manner  suggest  some  valuable  hints. 
Then  mentioning  the  passages  from  which  he  intended  to 
speak,  and  exhibiting  his  plan,  he  would  invite  in  return, 
the  remarks  of  his  brother,  and  receive  any  observations 
that  might  be  offered,  with  affection  and  thankfulness.  In 
this  intercourse,  which  subsisted  for  many  years,  he  mani- 
fested the  simplicity  of  the  child  and  the  chastened  piety 
of  the  old  disciple. 

He  would  frequently  sit  and  sing,  with  tears,  the  hymn, 

"  Wayfaring  men  and  sojourners 

Are  we,  who  seek  the  heavenly  spheres, 

Nor  do  we  here  belong  : 
Our  certain  dwelling  place  is  where 
The  Lambs  triumphant  hosts  appear. 

That  dear  redeemed  throng,  «&c." 

He  took  great  delight  in  singing  it,  and   used  to  say,  that 
every  line  was  soul  touching. 


20G  MEMOIR      OF 

Another  favorite  hymn  commenced  with  the  words : 

"  Not  all  the  blood  of  beasts, 
On  Jewish  altars  slain,  &c." 

He  loved  it  for  its  sweetness,  its  richness,  its  evangelical 
strain.  This  accounts  for  the  fact,  that  he  gave  it  out  very 
frequently  from  the  pulpit.     The  lines, 

"  That  powerful  blood  did  once  atone, 
And  now  it  pleads  before  the  throne," 

he  has  been  often  heard  to  repeat,  and  particularly  the 
expressions,  ^^ powerful  blood."  Of  these  words  he  was  an 
enthusiastic  admirer,  and  considered  them  the  most  im- 
pressive of  any  of  the  compositions  of  Dr.  Watts.  He  loved 
to  speak  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  he  loved  to  contemplate  its 
glorious  sufficiency.  He  rejoiced  that  it  was  potcerfid 
blood. 

To  exhibit  the  native  dignity  of  the  Mediator  was  with 
him  a  favorite  point.  Repeating  at  one  time  the  words, 
"  Who  being  the  brightness  of  his.  glory"  he  said,  "Oh! 
there  is  a  richness  in  that  passage,  I  cannot  get  at.  I  long 
to  preach  from  it.  I  have  tried,  but  cannot  reach  it."  He 
was  not  in  the  habit  of  keeping  a  diary  of  his  exercises. 
He  was  employed  through  life  in  better  work.  Yet  occa- 
sionally, he  made  a  note  of  the  goodness  of  God  on  paper. 
He  spent  the  winter  of  1827,  in  a  journey  to  the  South  to 
aid  the  Baptist  Mission,  and  on  his  way  met  with  a  most 
wonderful  escape  from  death.  He  records  this  in  the  fol- 
lowing passage  : 

February  14.  "  Experienced  a  most  wonderful  preser- 
vation. 'Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within 
me,  bless  his  holy  name.'  " 

On  the  same  page  is  another  : 

January  10.  "  The  fourth  year  of  the  decease  of  my 
dear  wife.    May  my  last  end  be  like  hers." 


U  11.      S  T  A  U  G  U  T  O  N.  207 

His  sentiments  on  tlie  sjiirit  of  Christianity,  may  be  seen 
in  the  extract  from  a  letter  which  follmvs.  It  was  written 
shortly  after  the  news  of  peace  arrived  in  this  country. 

"  Permit  me  to  congratulate  you  on  the  return  of  peace. 
I  most  sincerely  hope  that  our  rvilers  will  throw  in  no  ob- 
stacles to  its  ratification.  Surely  the  country,  without  any 
advantage,  has  bled  long  enough.  How  joyous,  and  yet 
how  sure  the  hopes  of  the  Christian  !  Jesus  nuist  univer- 
sally reign.  Of  his  dominion  and  peace,  there  shall  be  no 
end.  Many  of  my  brethren  think  they  see  the  spirit  of 
war,  in  the  spirit  of  Christianity.  I  confess  I  have  on  this 
point  so  much  of  the  Quaker  about  me,  I  cannot.  If  this 
were  true,  the  more  of  Christianity  in  the  world,  tlio  more 
a  fighting  disposition  must  be  cherished.  But  its  great 
Author  says,  *  I  say  unto  you  that  ye  resist  not  evil.'  I 
believe  that,  to  convert  swords  into  ploughshares,  and  spears 
into  pruning-hooks,  nothing  but  the  triumph  of  Christian 
principle  is  needed." 

He  rejoiced  to  see  his  friends  cherish  a  spirit  of  earnest 
devotion  to  God,  and  endeavored  to  promote  it.  In  the 
same  letter  he  says,  "  I  am  happy  to  find,  that  though  absent 
from  the  means  of  grace,  your  soul  is  prospering  in  the 
divine  life.  Certainly  no  joy  is  like  joy  in  God,  no  peace 
like  peace  addressed  to  the  soul,  through  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ.  To  live  ever  dependent  on  him,  less  than  nothing 
in  ourselves,  and  desirous  of  loving  and  obeying  him  con- 
tinually, approaches  nearest  to  'all  we  know  of  heaven,' 
of  any  course  the  mind  can  conceive." 

He  loved  to  direct  little  children  into  the  path  of  piety, 
and  improved  every  opportunity  to  bring  them  to  an  ac- 
quaintance with  the  Saviour.  His  pen  was  ever  at  com- 
mand to  contribute  to  their  moral  improvement,  as  the  fol- 
lowing incident,  poetically  described,  will  prove. 


208  MEMOIR      OF 

Conversation  beticecn  a  brother  and  sister,  on  the  death  of  their  cousin, 
a  little  girl  of  nine  years  of  age. 

"  Come  hither,  dear  George,  take  a  seat  by  the  fire, 
Said  Jane,  and  her  brother  sat  instantly  by  her  ; 
I  will  tell  you,  my  love,  a  most  sorrowful  tale — 
She  burst  into  tears,  and  her  brother  looked  pale. 

"  Recovering,  she  said.  Cousin  Mary  is  dead, 
I  saw  her  this  morning  stretched  out  on  the  bed  j 
Her  mouth  and  her  dear  little  eyelids  are  shut, 
And  she's  cold  as  a  stone,  from  the  head  to  the  foot. 

"  On  Saturday  last,  she  was  visiting  us  ; 

Going  home,  she  caught  cold,  and  grew  afterwards  worse  ; 

As  her  fever  was  raging,  and  aching  her  head, 

'  My  Jesus  will  hasten  to  fetch  me,'  she  said. 

"  The  Minister,  entering,  said,  '  Mary,  my  dear, 
I'm  sorry  to  see  you  lie  suffering  here ;' 
'  Don't  say  so,'  she  answered,  '  the  Lord  is  so  good, 
He  has  washed  out  my  stains  in  Jesus'  blood.' 

"  '  You  love  the  Lord  Jesus,  then,  Mary,'  said  he ; 
The  tears  came,  she  smiled  and  said,  '  He  has  loved  me, 
I  shall  praise  and  behold  his  dear  countenance  soon. 
In  the  place  where  you  say  there's  no  need  of  the  moon.' 

'•  He  prayed,  while  we  all  of  us  kneeled  round  the  bed, 
On  rising,  we  thought  little  Mary  was  dead  ; 
But  she  opened  her  eyes,  they  looked  all  over  bliss, 
And  calling  her  mother,  she  gave  her  a  kiss. 

"  '  Farewell,  dearest  mother,'  we  all  heard  her  say, 
'And  thank  you  for  telling  me  Christ  is  the  way,' 
'  Farewell,  my  dear  Jane,  and  tell  Georgy  from  me. 
That  in  glory,  I  pray,  I  may  each  of  you  see.' 

"  Then  she  bade  farewell  all,  and  when  turned  on  her  side, 
'  My  Jesus,'  she  said,  and  then  very  soon  died  ; 
Oh  George,  let  us  pray,  don't  defer  it  too  late. 
You're  now  turned  of  six,  and  I'm  going  on  eight. 


DR.      S  T  A  ir  n  11  T  O  >:.  209 

"  Upon  this,  little  George  cotiki  no  louger  refrain — 
The  tears  tumbled  down,  and  then,  turning  to  Jane, 
The  Lord  will  I  seek,  that  he  mercy  may  show, 
But  you,  my  dear  sister,  must  pray  for  mc  too." 

It  was  the  constant  aim  of  the  decea-scd  to  advance  the 
kingdom  of  Chri-st;  and  hence,  in  all  his  public  addresses, 
literary  and  theological,  he  impressed  upon  the  minds  of 
his  hearers,  and  particularly  upon  the  youthful  part,  the 
cultivation  of  every  noble  affection.  We  give  an  extract 
from  an  address  to  the  candidates  for  the  degree  of  M.  D. 
ill  the  medical  department  of  the  Columbian  College,  de- 
livered March  IC,  182G,  which  not  only  illustrates  this 
remark,  but  shows  him  to  be,  what  he  uniformly  was,  the 
poor  man's  friend. 

"  Let  me  recommend  to  tiic  cherishing  of  benevolent 
affections.  Let  there  be  seen  in  your  countenance,  when 
you  enter  the  chamber  of  disease,  that  mildness  which  will 
beguile  the  sorrowful  heart,  a  mildness  that  shall  fall  sweet 
as  the  moonbeam  on  the  midnight  dew.  A  fair  and  liberal 
recompense  for  the  expenses  incurred  in  the  acquisition  of 
your  education,  and  for  the  labors  in  which  you  may  yet 
engage,  is  your  reasonable  claim,  and,  from  a  generous 
public,  you  will  receive  it ;  but  cases  of  distress  and  pov- 
erty will  offer  themselves  to  your  charitable  feeling,  that 
you  must  not  neglect.  Be  good  Samaritans  !  If  the  Priest 
and  the  Levite  .shall  have  passed  by,  deaf  to  the  voice  of 
misery,  go,  bind  up  the  wounded,  pour  in  your  oil  and 
your  wine  ;  and  if  the  *  half  dead'  cannot  recompense  you, 
you  shall  be  recompensed  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 
Boerhaave  used  to  say,  and  I  have  oflen  heard  Dr.  Rush 
repeat  the  sentiment  with  pleasure,  '  I  esteem  the  poor  my 
most  profitable  patients,  for  God  is  their  pay-master.'  On 
one  point,  gentlemen,  I  must  leave  you  to  exercise  your 
jndorment,  after  simply  intimating,  that  as  far  as  my  obser- 
19 


210  MEMOIR      OF 

vation  has  extended,  no  physician  was  ever  a  loser  in  repu- 
tation or  fortune,  on  account  of  his  attending  the  family  of 
a  clergyman  gratuitously.  I  offer  no  apology  for  any  thing 
which  might  appear,  in  relation  to  myself,  personal  in  this 
remark.  My  relations  to  the  college  render  it  unneces- 
sary. 

"  In  the  pursuit  of  your  profession,  you  will  not  unfre- 
quently,  judging  from  the  history  of  eminent  physicians, 
find  occasions  for  vexation.  Caprice  may  possibly  induce 
a  family  to  change  their  physician,  to  whom  they  owe  their 
health,  if  not  the  continuance  of  their  existence,  for  one  to 
whom  they  owe  nothing,  and  whose  chief  recommendation 
may  be  only  a  little  brief  empyrical  confidence.  Suffer  no 
such  occurrence  to  depress  your  spirits,  much  less  to  arouse 
indignant  passions.  We  can  do  no  other  than  take  human 
nature  as  it  presents  itself  The  consciousness  of  the  in- 
tegrity of  your  heart,  and  of  the  fidelity  which  has  govern- 
ed your  exertions,  will  minister  to  your  bosoms  ample  sup- 
port. Disdain  the  indulgence  of  a  lovv'  spirit  of  rivalship. 
Superior  to  intrigue,  let  a  manly  independence,  a  generous 
openness  characterize  your  conduct.  You  will  find  it 
command  respect,  widen  the  sphere  of  your  practice,  and 
preserve  in  your  minds  that  delightful  tranquillity,  that  tone 
of  high  and  generous  feeling,  whicli  are  amongst  the  no- 
blest acquisitions  of  human  nature.  Slander,  whether  ma- 
licious or  inconsiderate,  ought  ever  to  be  considered  as  far 
beneath  the  real  philosopher,  as  it  is  inconsistent  with  the 
profession  of  the  sincere  Christian." 

He  was  an  attentive  observer  of  passing  events,  and  oc- 
casionally made  a  remark  upon  the  aspect  of  political 
affairs.  His  opinion  of  the  change  of  office  made  in  the 
case  of  the  Hon.  Judge  McLean  will  be  felt  by  many  to  be 
perfectly  just.     It  occurs  in  a  letter  to  his  son. 

"  Surely,  surely,  the  President  has  erred.      It  will   be 


U  R.      S  T  A  U  Ci  H  T  O  N.  21 1 

found  a  step  the  most  unliappy  lie  could  possibly  have 
taken.  I  almost  wept  as  I  read  your  letter.  The  post 
office  department  has  been  visited  with  meteor  and  moon- 
beam, but  it  never  saw  the  light  of  the  sun,  until  the  days 
of  our  inestimable  friend." 

His  constant  aim  was  usefulness.  The  "  Marseilles 
Hymn"  at  one  time  awakened  considerable  interest  in 
this  country  ;  and  he  conceived  its  bold  measure,  with  other 
sentiments,  might  be  equally  animating  to  the  Christian,  to 
urge  him  onward  in  the  cause  of  glory,  incorruptible  and 
unfading.  Several  attempts  of  the  same  kind  have  been 
made,  but  none  which  I  have  seen  will  bear  a  comparison 
with  this : 


"  Yc  sons  of  God  awake  to  glory, 

A  host  of  foes  before  you  lies, 
The  saints  renowned  in  sacred  story, 

Behold  thcra  seize  the  glittering  prize. 
Shall  frowns  of  earth,  or  hells  loivJ  thuixder. 

Afflict  your  bosom  with  dismay, 

Or  chase  you  from  the  narrow  way. 
While  angels  gaze  with  joy  and  wonder  ^ 

CHORUS. 
To  arms,  to  arms,  ye  brave, 
See,  see  the  standard  wave, 
March  on,  march  on,  the  trumpet  sounds, 
For  victory  or  deatli. 

"  Launch  out  a  feeble  arm  no  longer, 
Rush,  rush  on  contest,  win  the  day ; 

The  foe  turns  pale,  the  saint  grows  stronger,. 
While  great  Immanuel  leads  tlic  way  : 

No  more  a  hoard  of  terrors  nourish, 
Nor  seem  of  every  hope  berefl. 
For  on  the  right  hand  and  the  lefl 

The  heavenly  tempered  armies  flourish. 

To  arms,  &c 


212  M  E  M  o  1  u    u  r 

'•  The  treacherous  world  stands  yonder  smiling, 

And  points  to  wealth's  delight  and  fame, 
More  venomed  than  the  serpent  coiling, 

She  leads  to  anguish,  want  and  pain  : 
Fly  her  embrace,  disdain  her  fury, 

What  though  her  legions  she  engage  ! 

From  all  the  follies  of  her  rage. 
The  shield  of  faith  can  well  secure  ye. 

To  arms,  &c. 

"  Do  inward  foes,  thy  path  impeding, 

Through  all  thy  members,  shout  for  war  ? 

Resist  to  blood,  assured,  though  bleeding. 
You  soon  shall  mount  Elijah's  car  : 

Go  crucify  each  bold  invader. 

Drive  firm  the  nail,  deep  plunge  the  spear, 
Bright  eyes,  bright  hands,  no  longer  dear, 

Pursue  your  great  immortal  Leader. 

To  arms,  &c. 

'•  March  on,  nor  fear  death's  sable  waters, 

The  foe  stands  silent  as  a  stone. 
While  Jesus'  ransomed  sons  and  daughters 

Go  through  to  claim  the  promised  throne  : 
White  roibes,  and  crowns  of  highest  glory. 

Victorious  palms,  and  endless  songs, 

Friendship,  with  heaven's  triumphant  throng, 
And  God's  bright  presence  is  before  ye. 

To  arms,  tSrc." 

Thousands  have  been  charmed  with  the  well-known 
music  "  Strike  the  cymbal."  The  words  were  composed 
by  Dr.  Staughton,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Carr,  of  Philadel- 
phia, by  whom  the  harmony  was  arranged. 

The  following  lines  were  written  by  him  in  a  lady's  al- 
bum : 

"  You  ask  me,  dear  girl,  in  your  album  to  write, 

The  request  I  can  never  oppose ; 
But  my  muse,  an  old  Eagle,  deficient  for  flight, 

A  paragraph  wishes  in  prose. 


DR.      ST  A  UGH  TON.  213 

I  yield  not  to  such  inadmissible  thing, 

I  care  very  little  about  her ; 
And  if  she  refuses  to  lend  me  her  wing, 

111  write  you  a  stanza  without  her. 

"  May  the  angel  of  health  all  your  footsteps  attend, 

Maj-  plenty  her  horn  ever  shed  ; 
May  the  dews  of  the  hills  on  your  dwelling  descend, 

And  peace  be  the  wreath  of  your  head  : 
May  your  choice  be  the  virtuous ;  as  chooses  the  deer 

The  stream  that  pellucidly  flows. 
May  your  path  be  all  verdant,  your  sky  ever  clear, 

And  the  bosom  of  God  your  repose 
May  streams  of  salvation  attend  you  below, 

A  Saviour  your  constant  protection. 
And  when  the  last  trumpet  shall  Gabriel  blow, 

May  you  share  in  the  first  resurrection." 

A    FABLE, 

Founded  on  fact,  which  occurred  in  the  river  Delaware, 
Feb.  27,  1821,  when  the  motion  of  a  fine  steam-boat, 
connnandcd  by  Capt.  Whilden,  was  impeded  by  a  corn- 
husk. 

'•  A  boat,  as  proud  as  boat  could  be, 

Fit  for  a  river,  or  a  sea. 

Now  blazed  within  with  furious  flame. 

Now  poured  in  air  the  impatient  steam  ; 

Loosed  from  the  wharf,  she  freedom  feels. 

And  whirls  around  her  easy  wheels — 

Full  in  the  stream,  she  pompous  cries, 

'  On  me  see  fixed  a  thousand  eyes  ; 

Volumes  of  smoke  I  fling  behind, 

Despise  the  surge,  and  dare  the  wind. 

Avaunt,  ye  schooners,  brigs,  and  ships. 

Leave  me  to  my  majestic  trips  ! 

Go,  wait  for  tides,  invoke  the  breeze  ! 

Steam-boats  despise  such  aids  as  these. 

The  sun  scarce  travels  through  the  sky. 

Surprised  at  such  a  power  as  I ; 

While  every  Nereid  of  the  stream 

Is  wondering  whence  or  why  I  came.' 
19* 


214  MEMOIR      OF 

"  A  husk  of  corn,  late  thrown  away, 
No  more  with  summer  verdure  gay, 
Mounting  the  stream  with  serious  float, 
O'erheard  the  ostentatious  boat : — 
'  Vain,  heated,  vaporing  thing  !  '  she  cried, 
'  A  withering  husk  shall  check  thy  pride  : 
For  chastisement  I  see  thee  ripe,' 
Then  entered  the  induction  pipe. 

'•The  boat  is  conscious  of  her  sin, 
Mourns  the  calamity  within. 
Flashes  around  the  useless  steam. 
Her  levers  rest  their  pond'rous  beam  ; 
Powerless  and  faint,  herself  she  sees 
Moving  where  winds  and  waters  please. 


"  Boast  not  of  shape  or  kindled  soul, 
A  trifle  can  derange  the  whole  : 
Humbly  confess  a  Saviour's  sway, 
And  calmly  trace  thy  destined  way." 

The  following  is  a  jcu  dc  mot,  in  which  the  Doctor  ex- 
celled :  Married,  Jan.  24,  1811,  by  Rev.  Wm.  Staughton, 
Mr.  William  Applegate  to  Miss  Diadema  Thorn,  both  of 
Philadelphia. 

"  Lovers,  ye  well  may  envy  them, 

Whom  such  fair  joys  adorn  ; 
His  hand  receives  a  Diadem, 

And  she  has  lost  a  Thorn." 


V  R.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  215 


CHAPTER  IX. 

An  important  change  in  the  scene  of  his  labors — proceedings  of  the 
General  Convention  in  reference  to  it — chosen  President  of  the 
Columbian  college — his  qualifications  for  this  station — death  of 
Mrs.  Staughton — letters  of  sympathy. 

I.v  pursuing  the  history  of  the  deceased,  our  attention  is 
now  directed  to  an  important  change  that  occurred  in  the 
scene  of  his  labors.  We  have  already  stated  the  origin  of 
the  Baptist  Education  Society  for  the  Middle  States,  but 
we  must  recur  to  its  subsequent  progress. 

To  embody  the  efforts  of  the  denomination  in  one  insti- 
tution, was  thought  by  many  to  be  a  desirable  measure. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Furnian,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  was,  for 
several  successive  periods.  President  of  the  Baptist  Gene- 
ral Convention.  He  submitted,  at  the  triennial  meeting 
in  1817,  a  plan  of  education  to  the  Convention,  which 
plan  was  referred  to  the  Board.  The  Board  appointed  a 
committee  to  consider  it,  and  report.  In  July  of  the  same 
year,  the  Education  Society  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Board,  offering  their  immediate  co-operation  in  accom- 
plishing the  objects  contemplated  by  the  Convention. 
This  offer  was  accepted,  and  the  Rev.  William  Staugh- 
ton, D.  D.,  was  appointed  Principal  of  the  Institution,  and 
the  Rev.  Irah  Chase,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Languages  and 
Biblical  Literature. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board,  held  in  New  York,  in  Au- 
gust, 1818,  further  measures  were   adopted,   and  a  plan 


216  MEMOIR      OF 

devised  for  the  consideration  of  the  churches.  In  the 
address  of  the  Board  to  the  Convention,  assembled  in 
Philadelphia,  in  the  year  1820,  we  have  a  condensed  vievi^ 
of  their  proceedings  up  to  that  time. 

"  From  a  serious  consideration  of  the  duty  enjoined  in 
the  fourteenth  article  of  the  Constitution,  and  particularly 
from  the  communication  made  by  the  President  of  the 
Convention,  at  the  last  triennial  meeting,  the  Board  felt 
it  their  duty  to  '  bring  to  full  effect,'  as  early  as  practi- 
cable, the  subject  of  assisting  the  education  of  such  pious 
young  men  as  appear  to  be  called  of  God  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry.  The  plan  submitted  to  the  Convention  was 
referred  to  a  committee  of  the  Board,  who,  after  a  delay  of 
twelve  months,  stated  in  their  report,  that  '  they  approve, 
in  the  main,  highly  of  the  plan  the  President  proposed, 
and  are  of  opinion  that  it  will,  ultimately,  in  substance, 
probably,  in  a  few  years,  be  found  in  successful  operation.' 
They,  however,  stated,  that  '  until  it  can  be  accomplished, 
and  for  its  accomplishment  very  ample  funds  must  be  ob- 
tained, something  may  be  done  that  will  prepare  the  way 
for  more  comprehensive  measures.'  The  expressions 
'  competent  and  distinct  funds,'  used  in  the  Constitution, 
were  understood  by  the  Board  to  intend  funds  distinct 
from  those  collected  for  missionary  purposes,  that  should 
be  found  competent  for  commencing,  rather  than  for  com- 
pleting, an  institution  of  the  kind  contemplated;  and  were 
of  opinion,  that  scarcely  any  thing  would  more  usefully 
lead  on  the  design  to  the  wished  for  perfection,  than  the 
diffusion  of  pious  young  men  among  the  churches,  who 
might  be  assisted  in  their  education,  and  whose  profiting 
should  appear  to  all.  The  Board  endeavored  to  call  in 
the  sentiments  and  co-operation  of  Education  societies, 
and  of  brethren  and  churches  around,  that  might  aid  in 
the  work.     They  held,  for  this  purpose,  a  special  meeting 


U  U.      tJTAUOHTOX.  217 

in  New  York,  in  August,  1818,  wlieu  the  subject  wa.-; 
taken  into  solemn  consideration  ;  a  plan  sketched  for  the 
perusal  of  cluirches  and  associations,  subject  to  any 
changes  or  niodilications,  which  their  judgment  and  piety 
might  suggest ;  and  proper  provisions  made  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  students,  and  the  temporary  superinten- 
dence of  their  education.  A  considerable  number  of 
young  men  have  already  entered,  some  on  their  own  foun- 
dation, but  most  of  them  depending  on  the  distinct  funds 
that  have  been,  and  shall  yet  be  collected,  for  their  edu- 
cation and  support.  The  Board  has  reason  to  believe 
th;it  much  good  has  already  been  done,  and  they  trust  that 
the  Convention  will  be  guided  by  divine  wisdom  in  all  the 
measures  on  this  important  subject,  which  they  may  be  led 
to  adopt.  It  has  been  stated  to  them  by  the  Agent,  that  a 
lot  has  been  procured  in  Washington  city,  peculiarly 
eligible  for  the  erection  of  suitable  buildings  for  the  insti- 
tution. The  Board  are  aware  of  many  advantages  that 
would  attend  such  a  location,  but  have  resolved  to  leave 
the  subject  entirely  to  the  decision  of  the  Convention." 

At  this  meeting  of  the  Convention,  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  passed  : — 

"  1.  Resolved,  That  the  institution  for  the  education  of 
Gospel  ministers,  be  located  at  the  city  of  Washington,  or 
in  its  vicinity,  in  the  District  of  Columbia;  and  that  the 
Board  be  directed  to  cause  its  removal  thither,  whenever 
suitable  preparations  shall  be  made  for  its  reception  in  that 
place,  and  when,  in  their  opinion,  such  removal  shall  be 
expedient. 

"  2.  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  accept  of  the 
premises  tendered  to  them  for  the  site  of  an  institution 
for  the  education  of  Gospel  ministers,  and  for  a  college, 
adjoining  the  city  of  Washington  ;  and  that  the  Board  be 
directed  to  take  measures,  as  soon  as  convenient,  for  ob- 


218  MEMOIR      OF 

taining  a  legal  title  to  the  same ;  and  that  the  Board  be 
further  directed  to  keep  the  institution,  already  in  a  state 
of  progress,  first  in  view,  and  not  to  incur  expenses  be- 
yond the  amount  of  funds  which  may  be  obtained  for  the 
establishment  of  either  of  the  institutions." 

To  the  Presidency  of  this  college,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Staugli- 
ton  was  unanimously  elected.  At  a  subsequent  period  the 
following  resolution  was  passed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  college  be  Pro- 
fessor of  General  History,  Belles  Lettres,  Rhetoric  and 
Moral  Philosophy  in  the  Classical, — and  of  Divinity  and 
Pulpit  Eloquence  in  the  Theological  Department." 

In  the  month  of  September,  1821,  the  Theological  De- 
partment was  removed  from  Philadelphia  to  Washington. 
On  4he  9th  of  January,  1822,  the  President,  Professors 
and  Tutors,  were  solemnly  inducted  by  the  President  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  into  their  respective  offices ;  and 
the  Classical  Department  was  opened  on  the  second 
Wednesday  of  the  same  month. 

Dr.  Staughton,  the  President,  did  not  remove  from 
Philadelphia,  until  the  autumn  of  1823,  but  supplied  his 
place  by  an  occasional  visit  of  a  few  weeks. 

For  this  high  and  responsible  station,  the  subject  of  this 
Memoir  was  eminently  qualified.  His  mind  seemed  to  be 
prepared  for  every  emergency.  His  taste  was  of  the 
highest  and  most  delicate  order,  delicate  as  his  own  sensi- 
bilities; his  invention  was  rich  and  rapid,  and  his  imagin- 
ation of  the  finest  brilliancy.  Few  men  have  been  favored 
with  a  memory  so  retentive,  and,  at  the  same,  with  a  judg- 
ment so  profound.  To  him  it  was  no  task  to  ascertain 
the  merits  of  a  question.  He  saw  every  bearing,  viewed  it 
in  all  its  combinations,  and  before  most  men  would  have 
passed  the  threshhold,  he  had  visited  the  whole  interior  and 
formed  his  decision.     Of  others,  who  have  gained  the  sum- 


DR.      S  T  A  i:  G  H  T  O  N.  219 

iiiit  of  eminence,  and  wlio.-^c  writings  prove  their  indefati- 
gable exertions,  as  well  as  native  vigor  of  mind,  it  may  be 
said,  tiuif  lived  in  the  closet.  Dr.  Staugliton  lived  in  the 
Jicld.  Action  was  his  motto,  and  his  success  proves  how 
strictly  he  maintained  it.  Not  favored,  as  many  have 
been,  with  early  education,  he  rose,  principally,  by  his 
own  exertions  ;  and  though  through  life  he  labored  to 
support  his  family,  and  engaged  in  teaching,  preaching 
and  visiting,  to  an  extent  which  few  are  Ccipable  of  sup- 
porting, yet  his  knowledge  was  of  a  very  comprehensive 
character.  His  reading  was  extensive  ;  there  were  but 
few  books  on  literature,  science,  philosophy  or  theology, 
which  he  had  not  read  with  attention  and  profit.  The 
classics  were  familiar  to  him ;  and  yet  it  is  a  fact,  known 
but  by  a  few  of  his  friends,  that  he  never  received  a  les.son 
in  Greek.  His  translations  were  distinguished  by  peculiar 
smoothness  and  spirit.  Among  his  papers,  I  find  the  fol- 
lowing beautiful  translation  of  Martial's  Epigram,  book  iv. 
ep.  49,  with  some  remarks  appended. 

"  Aiiiontj  tlie houghs  the  unconscious  viper  creeps, 
While  each  sad  poplar  precious  amber  weeps ; 
The  reptile  pausing  on  the  Heliad  bloom, 
Wonders  and  dies,  the  Concrete  drops  liis  tomb. 
Insidious  queen  !  thy  monument  resign, 
Vipers  have  nobler  sepulchres  than  thine." 

In  order  to  a  perception  of  the  beauty  of  the  point  of 
the  epigram,  it  should  be  remembered  that  the  Heliades 
were  the  daughters  of  the  Sun  and  Clymene.  The  catas- 
trophe which  bcfel  their  brother  Ph38ton,  so  affected  them, 
that  as  they  stood  weeping  on  the  banks  of  the  Po,  they 
were  changed  into  poplars,  and  their  tears  into  the  finest 
amber.  It  is  proper  also  to  observe,  that  when  Cleopatra 
fled  from  the  battle  of  Actium  into  Egypt,  she  shut  herself 
up  in  a  most  magnificent  sepulchre,  which  she  had  built, 
where  she  perished  by  the  bite  of  an  asp. 


220  RI  E  M  O  I  R      OF 

He  published  an  edition  of  Virgil  with  Notes,  which 
has  been  highly  approved,  and  extensively  adopted  in  the 
education  of  youth.  The  natural  sciences  presented  a 
wide  field  to  his  view,  and  he  explored  it  with  fervor  and 
advantage.  He  gave  frequent  lectures  to  his  classes  on 
Natural  History,  and  occasionally  illustrated  by  a  morning 
visit  to  the  Museum  of  Mr.  Peale,  in  Philadelphia.  His 
pupils  will  long  remember  these  seasons  with  pleasure. 
In  the  science  of  Botany  he  was  at  home,  and  here  the 
elegance  and  delicacy  of  his  mind,  the  fervor  of  his  im- 
agination, and  the  charm  of  his  eloquence,  had  ample  flow. 
The  flowers  of  the  garden  and  the  field  were  his  favorite 
friends  ;  he  loved  to  converse  with  them,  and  to  make 
them  speak  the  wisdom,  the  goodness,  and  the  power  of 
their  author.  Even  now,  I  seem  to  hear  their  voice, 
which  years  ago  fell  upon  my  ear  most  svv'eetly,  as  he 
unfolded  their  character,  from  the  delicate  germ  to  the 
finished  fruit, 

"  Tlie  hand  that  made  21s  is  fUrine." 

The  following  pleasing  piece  from  his  pen,  appeared  in 
the  National  Gazette,  at  Washington,  on  the  25ih  of 
April,  1S24. 

To  the  Editors  of  the  National  Gazdtc. 

"  Gentlemen, 

"On  entering  into  tlie  Hor.se  of  Representatives  this 
morning,  I  saw  on  the  left  of  the  Speaker,  a. fine  branch, 
as  I  thought  it,  of  the  Amygdalus  nana,  or  flowering 
almond.  I  felt  for  the  branch, — it  seemed  to  me  in  the 
presence  of  the  great  council  of  our  nation,  to  '  bhish  a 
deeper  tint  and  to  say, 

'  How  came  I  thus — how  here  r' 


DR.      S  T  A  f  G  H  T  O  i\.  221 

All,  thought  I^  lovely  flower,  I  wish  I  could  tell  you,  but 
I  cannot.  Involuntarily  my  mind  was  turned  to  the  cir- 
cumstance. It  cannot  be,  said  I  to  myself,  to  set  off  the 
person  or  the  talents  of  the  venerable  Speaker.  The  for- 
mer is  manly,  and  the  latter  unsurpassed.  Perhaps,  thought 
I,  some  motion  is  about  to  be  made  for  enriching  the  Wash- 
ington Botanical  Garden,  but  no  speaker  on  the  floor  said 
a  word  concerning  botany ;  had  they,  I  should  have  been 
delighted,  for  plants  and  flowers  are  my  much-loved  friends. 
I  asked  myself  again,  is  that  sweet  flower  designed  to 
teach  our  great  men  a  moral  lesson,  that  man,  in  his  high- 
est glory,  is  destined,  as  the  flower,  to  fade  ?  If  so,  the 
emblem  is  excellent.  I  could  not  admit  the  idea,  that  as 
this  kind  of  flower  never  produces  fruit,  it  could  for  a  mo- 
ment intimate  the  idea  of  sterility,  either  in  the  bodies  or 
the  minds  of  the  fine  assembly  of  men  that  were  before  me. 

"  Perhaps,  thought  I,  it  is  meant  to  intimate,  that  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  the  members  are  almost  all  in 
the  vigor  of  vernal  glory.  Gentlemen,  tell  me,  was  the 
conjecture  right  or  not  ?  If  correct,  permit  me  to  beg  of 
you  to  recommend  that  on  the  table  of  the  President  of  the 
Senate  there  be  set  plates  of  fine  ripe  oranges,  figs,  raisins, 
and  almonds.  It  will  convey  at  once  a  beautiful  and  cor- 
rect idea  of  the  character  of  the  two  Houses — in  the  one 
you  have  the  opened  but  not  unproductive  flower — in  the 
other  the  consolidated  fruit. 

"  Happily  for  my  anxieties,  I  found,  I  suspect,  the  mean- 
ing of  the  symbol.  The  early  discussion  of  the  day  turned 
on  the  propriety  of  bringing  the  business  of  Congress  to  a 
close.  The  beautiful  flower  seemed  to  me  to  have  caught 
the  object  of  its  location,  and  to  say,  with  alternate  pale- 
ness and  blushes  on  its  cheek, 

'Welcome  the  coming — speed  the  going  guest.'  ' — Visitor. 

20 


222  MEMOIR     OF 

The  mathematical  branches  he  taught,  with  great  suc- 
cess, for  many  years,  and  delivered  frequent  courses  of 
lectures  on  Natural  Philosophy.  He  stood  almost  alone  in 
his  day  in  that  plan  of  public  instruction,  which  is  now  so 
extensively  developed  through  the  medium  of  Lyceums  and 
Mechanic  Institutes.  He  was  a  member  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society,  a  society  composed  of  none  but 
those  who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  science.  But 
that  which  most  adorned  his  character,  was  the  application 
of  his  vast  resources  to  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom 
of  Christ. 

When  the  Columbian  college  received  its  existence  in 
the  deliberations  of  the  General  Convention,  every  eye  was 
turned  upon  him  as  the  man  under  whose  talents  and 
weight  of  character  the  institution  was  to  take  its  stand 
among  the  first  in  our  country.  Shortly  after  his  accept- 
ance of  this  responsible  and  useful  station,  and  previously 
to  his  removal,  a  most  afflictive  event  occurred  in  his 
family.  His  partner  and  bosom  companion  was  called  to 
her  eternal  reward.  After  an  illness  of  about  one  week, 
she  departed  in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  They  had  lived  for 
thirty  years  together  in  uninterrupted  harmony  and  affec- 
tion, and  his  heart  received  in  this  providence  a  stroke 
from  which  it  never  recov-ered.  He  bore  the  separation 
w-ith  astonishing  firmness  and  resignation.  No  murmur 
escaped  his  lips,  and  long  will  his  heavenly  conversation 
be  remembered  by  tliose  who  heard  him,  while  the  prepara- 
tions were  making  for  the  funeral  solemnities.  All  classes 
sympathized  v/ith  him  in  his  bereavement ;  and  though  the 
day  on  which  she  was  buried  was  unusually  inclement,  and 
a  heavy  snow  was  falling  at  the  time,  the  streets  to  a  con- 
siderable distance  were  crowded  with  solemn  observers  of 
the  scene.  The  ministers  of  the  different  denominations, 
upwards  of  thirty  in  number,  attended,  to  pay  their  last  re- 


t)  K.      S  T  A  I'  G  H  T  O  \.  223 

spects  to  the  deceased,  with  whom  many  of  them  were  per- 
sonally acquainted.  Her  kindness  to  the  numerous  friends 
who  visited  their  house,  her  efforts  to  promote  the  comfort 
of  theological  students,  her  connexion  with  many  of  the 
benevolent  societies  of  the  day,  and  her  unwavering  at- 
tachment to  the  interests  of  Zion,  have  formed  for  her 
memory  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  a  large  circle  of  society, 
and  demand  in  this  Memoir  a  suitable  notice.  We 
subjoin  an  account  of  her  dying  experience,  in  a  letter 
from  her  bereaved  companion  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Allison  : 

"  My  dear  brother, 

"  You  request  me  to  communicate  to  you  some  account 
of  the  departure  of  one,  who,  for  nearly  thirty  years,  had 
been  the  companion  of  my  cares  and  consolations.  For 
several  months  before  her  decease  her  health  was  imper- 
fect. She  spent  the  last  summer  in  a  country  situation, 
with  evident  advantage,  and,  at  the  time  she  was  taken 
sick,  appeared  no  more  indisposed  than  usual. 

"  On  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the  4th  of  January  last, 
while  sitting  by  the  bed-side  of  our  afflicted  niece,  minis- 
tering with  anxious  kindness  to  her  relief,  she  said,  'O, 
how  chilly  I  feel ;  I  never  felt  more  cold  in  my  life.'  We 
advised  her  to  lie  down,  and  gave  her  some  warm  drinks. 
The  chilly  sensation  for  a  few  moments  subsided,  but  was 
followed  shortly  by  another,  equally  severe.  At  length  a 
profuse  perspiration  ensued.  No  alarm  was  created  until 
the  succeeding  night,  when  a  third  chill  was  experienced, 
more  intense  than  the  preceding.  She  considered  it  the 
forerunner  of  approaching  dissolution.  It  proved  to  be 
the  introduction  of  a  decided  typhus  fever. 

"  For  many  weeks  before  her  sickness  her  mind  appear- 
ed to  have  become  more  heavenly  than  before.  She  was 
much  engaged  in  reading  the  Scriptures,  much  in  medita- 


224  MEMOIR      OF 

tion,  much  in  prayer.  The  world  seemed  to  have  lost  the 
power  of  distressing  or  amusing.  Her  conversation  was 
delightful,  and  her  hopes  of  heaven  firm  and  joyous,  I 
never  saw  a  stronger  exemplification  of  what  the  Apostle 
denominates,  being  made  meet  for  an  inheritance  among 
the  saints  in  light.  With  perfect  tranquillity  she  said, 
'  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.' 

"  Her  illness  continued  about  six  days.  In  its  early 
stages  her  mind  discovered  a  holy  thoughtfulness.  She 
observed  that  'death  was  a  serious  visitation,  and  trying  to 
nature.'  She  felt  no  desire  for  rapture,  content  that  her 
bark  should  calmly  enter  the  desired  haven.  Anxious  to 
glorify  her  Redeemer,  in  her  affliction,  she  said  to  her 
nurse,  '  If,  through  the  weakness  of  nature,  you  discover 
any  thing  in  me  like  impatience,  do  tell  me,  and  I  will 
pray  for  strength  to  overcome  it.'  She  frequently  said,  *I 
feel  grateful  for  affectionate  friends — O,  how  good  is  the 
Lord  to  me.'  After  a  night  somewhat  restless,  she,  in  the 
morning,  addressed  her  beloved  daughters:  'O,  my  dear, 

dear  children,  my   dear  L ,  my  dear  E ,  don't  be 

fascinated  with  this  present  world.  Set  your  thoughts  on 
heavenly  things.'  Having  mentioned  a  sweet  idea  that 
had  come  to  her  mind,  and  being  unable  to  repeat  it,  she 
said,  'O,  it  is  in  my  dear  James'  last  letter.'  I  presume 
the  following  is  the  passage  to  which  she  referred  :  '  I  was 
happy  to  receive  a  letter  from  your  dear  hand.  Don't  dis- 
tress yourself.  I  am  in  the  path  of  duty,  and  under  the 
evcr-ioatchful  eye  of  Providence." 

"With  the  increase  of  disease,  she  was  favored  with  an 
increase  of  consolation.  I  continued,  as  well  as  my  sor- 
rows would  permit,  to  pen  down  her  expressions,  with  the 
hope  that  they  might  prove  useful,  at  least  to  myself  and 
my  children. 

"  On  Thursday,  the  day   preceding  that  on  whicli   she 


D  U.      ST  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  225 

(lied,  I  a.skod  her,  '  My  dear  Maria,  do  you  feel  happy  in 
your  mind  V  Slie  answered,  '  I  tliiuk  I  do.'  '  You  know  in 
whom  you  have  believed  ?'  '  I  trust  I  do  ?'  '  Is  your  mind 
stayed  on  the  Lord  Jesus?'  'I  trust  it  is.'  'You  were 
taught  early  to  believe  in  his  name.'  '  I  believe  I  was 
taught  to  commit  my  soul  into  His  hands.  lie  is  my  only 
strength,  my  only  comfort.'  In  the  afternoon,  at  a  moment 
when  I  was  absent  from  the  room,  she  said,  '  Where  is  dear 
father ;'  for  so  she  familiarly  called  me ;  '  tell  him  not  to 
distress  himself,  for  it  will  be  all  well  witli  mo.'  To  her 
weeping  daughters,  she  said,  '  My  dear,  dear  children,  you 
will  soon  be  without  a  mother ;  but  the  Lord  will  take  care 
of  you.'  Addressing  her  niece,  whom  she  adopted  when 
an  infant,  she  observed,  '  My  dear  A.  you  arc  called  upon 
to  give  me  up.'  She  replied  with  tears,  '  I  am  obliged  to 
do  it.'  She  answered,  '  O,  my  child,  you  should  not  say 
you  arc  obliged ;  you  ought  to  do  it  voluntarily.' 

"Friday,  the  day  of  release  to  my  invaluable  saint,  was 
to  licr  a  day  of  holy  triumph.  Early  in  the  morning,  she 
said  to  me,  'My  dear,  a  change  is  coming!'  I  answered, 
'I  hope  it  may  prove  a  change  that  will  give  you  back 
again  to  us.'  She  calmly  replied,  '  Earth  or  heaven,  as  my 
Father  pleases.'  The  nature  of  her  indisposition  induced 
such  a  prostration  of  strength,  that  she  was  unable  to  give 
utterance  to  the  sacred  pleasures  she  enjoyed.  She  re- 
peatedly said,  'O  could  I  tell!  I'd  tell!  I  would,  but  can- 
not.' O,  my  brother,  how  cold,  how  worthless,  how  hate- 
ful the  creed  of  an  infidel!  How  deep  the  gloom  that  in 
death  surrounds  him!  If,  at  any  period  more  than  another, 
I  pitied  and  abhorred  the  destiny  and  pretensions  of  the 
deist,  it  was  while  weeping  by  the  side  of  my  Maria,  while 
she  stood 

'  With  her  starry  pinions  on, 

Dressed  for  the  flight,  and  ready  to  be  gone.' 

20* 


226  MEMOIR     OF 

If  ever  I  valued  'the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed  God,' 
with  most  admiring  gratitude,  it  was  when  I  heard  her  say, 
'  I  am  easy,  I  am  going  to  repose  in  the  arms  of  my  Re- 
deemer.    The  angels  are  already  waiting.' 

"With  a  desire  of  soliciting  all  I  could  from  her  dying 
lips,  without  adding  to  her  weakness,  I  said,  '  My  dear,  you 
feel  happy ;'  she  added,  '  I  do,  I  do.'  '  You  find  Jesus 
precious ;'  she  said, 


'  My  transport  and  my  trust, 
Jewels  to  thee  !  Jewels  to  thee  ! 


after  a  short  pause,  while  she  could  recover  a  little  strength, 

she  added, 

'  are  gaudy  toys  ! 
And  gold  is  sordid  dust !' 

A  few  moments  afterwards,  with  a  heavenly  smile, 

'  And  dying  clasp  thee  in  my  arms, 
I  die  in  the  arms  of  Jesus  !' 

Among  the  numerous  sentiments  she  expressed  on  this 
nover-to-he-forgotten  day,  were  the  following: 

'  Sweet  fields  beyond  the  swelling  flood, 

Stand  drest — stand  drest ' 

'  Rivers  of  love  and  mercy  there 
In  a  rich  ocean  join.' 

On  her  uttering  the  words,  '  And  linger,  linger,'  a  Christian 
sister  said,  'Is  Mrs.  Staughton  afraid  to  launch  away?' 
She  said,  'No,  I  am  not.     Sweet  Jesus,  come!  come!' 

"  Several  passages  of  scripture  were  a  firm  support  to 
her  mind,  particularly  the  text,  '  Underneath  are  everlast- 
ing arms.'  She  often  repeated,  '  I  feel  underneath  his 
everlasting  arms."  The  passage  also,  '  We  have  not  a  High 
Priest  that  cannot  be  touched  with  the   feeling  of  our  in- 


U  K.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N. 


227 


firmities:,  but  was  in  till  points  tempted  like  as  we  are.' 
She  appeared  to  enter  into  the  meaning  of  the  word, 
'touched,'  and  when  she  was  un;ibleto  repeat  the  text, 
would  say,  '  touched  !  touched  !' 

'  Touched  with  a  sympathy  within, 
He  knows  our  feeble  frame.' 

"  In  the  course  of  the  day  she  cried  out,  '  Miracle ! 
miracle  !  miracle !'  A  kind  friend  standing  by  her,  said, 
'What!  a  miracle  of  grace?'  'O  yes,'  she  replied,  *a 
miracle  of  grace  !'  Her  disease  was  attended  with  an  in- 
satiable thirst.  Apologizing  for  requesting  so  frequently  a 
little  water,  she  observed,  '  I  shall  soon  drink  of  streams 
that  never  dry.  There  is  a  river  whose  streams  make  glad 
the  city  of  our  God.  I  shall  soon  drink  at  the  fountain. 
No  pain  there ;  no  thirst  there ;  I  shall  be  free !  I  shall  be 
free!' 

"  Perceiving  that  nature  was  sinking,  I  asked  her  what 
I  should  say  to  our  dear  James,  now  in  Europe,  between 
whom  and  his  dear  mother,  as  you  well  know,  a  more  ten- 
der interchange  of  maternal  and  filial  love  couhl  scarcely 
exist;  she  said,  'His  mother's  blessing.  I  hope  to  meet 
him  in  glory.'  And  what  to  Mr.  Rice?  'I  love  Mr.  Rice; 
the  Lord  bless  him ;  the  Lord  bless  the  mission ;  the  Lord 
bless  the  college.' 

"  She  was  told  the  Lord  had  long  been  her  supporter, 
and  that  though  she  walked  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  she  need  fear  no  evil.  She  added,  '  I 
fear  none!  His  rod  and  his  staff  comfort  me.'  On  being 
asked,  by  a  kind  attendant,  whether  in  the  prospect  of 
death,  she  could  rc:>ign  her  husband,  and  children,  and 
niece,  into  the  hands  of  God;  she  said,  '  Yes,  I  can,  'tis  all 
that  I  can  do,  but  I  can  do  it.'  Some  of  the  last  words 
she  uttered,  were,  '  Ten  thousand,  thousand  pleasures;  O, 


228  MEMOIR      OF 

ten  thousand,  thousand !  Joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.' 
When  speech  was  no  longer  at  her  command,  on  being 
told  that  I  was  standing  by  her  side,  she  protruded  her 
lips  to  kiss  me.  I  left  the  tender  adieu,  uttering  in  my  full 
heart,  the  sweet  lines  of  Bishop  Lowth  : 

'  Cara,  Maria,  vale  ;  at  veniet  felicivis  eevum 
Quando  iterum  tecum,  sim  modo  dignus,  ero.'* 

"  She  continued  apparently  engaged  in  prayer,  her  lips 
moving,  and  her  hands  occasionally  raised,  until  about 
twenty  minutes  before  twelve  o'clock,  when  she  softly  fell 
asleep. 

"  My  dear  brother,  you  have  known  her   long  and   inti- 
mately.    I  need  not  remind  you  of  her  wisdom  and  tender- 
ness as  a  parent  and  friend.     I  need   not  call  up  to  your 
recollection  her  zeal  and  services  in  the  mission  cause,  in 
reference  to  Bible  institutions,  or  to  the  promotion  of  sound 
learning  among  pious  youth,  destined  to  serve  in  the  sanc- 
tuary.    My  loss  is  great ;  but   it  is  the   Lord  who  has  oc- 
casioned the  void  I  feel.     You  have  experienced  a  similar 
bereavement ;  yet,  He  has  sustained  you.     I  find  relief  in 
reflecting  on  the  mercies  I   am   still   permitted   to   enjoy. 
My  amiable  children   are  left.     Never  could  a  church  dis- 
cover more  sincere  and  lively  sympathies  towards   its  af- 
flicted pastor,  than  my   beloved   brethren   and  sisters   in 
Sansom-street,   manifested.     I  pray  they  may  be   recom- 
pensed a  thousand  fold !     I   am  sincerely   grateful  for   the 
sympathetic  consideration  of  the  trustees,  the  faculty,  and 
the  students  of  the  Columbian  college,  and  to  the  numer- 
ous inhabitants  of  Philadelphia,  who,  on  an  inclement  day, 
thronged   to  witness  the  burial  of  one,  dear  to  yourself, 
and  still  dearer  to  your  affectionate  brother, 

WM.  STAUGHTON." 

"  Dear  Mary,  farewell ;    but  a  happier  time  shall   come,  when  1 
shall  again  be  with  thee,  should  I  only  be  worthy  of  you. 


U  It.     S  T  A  U  li  n  T  O  N.  229 

Tiic  following  resolution  was  passed  by  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  college,  upon  receiving  the  intelligence  of 
her  death  : 

"  lirsolvcd,  unanimousli/,  That  this  Board  sincerely  con- 
dole with  the  President  of  the  college,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Staughton,  in  the  afflicting  stroke  of  Divine  Providence, 
which  has  bereft  him  of  an  amiable  and  affectionate  com- 
panion— his  children  of  the  best  of  mothers — this  institu- 
tion of  a  cordial  friend — society  of  an  invaluable  member — 
and  the  church  of  God  of  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments: 
and  that  the  Rev.  President  be  requested  to  accept  this 
expression  of  our  warmest  sympathies,  and  assurance  of 
our  fervent  prayers,  that  God,  in  his  infinite  goodness,  will 
sustain  him  and  his  family  under  this  trying  dispensation, 
and  sanctify  it  to  their  everlasting  benefit." 

The  students  of  the  Columbian  college  presented  their 
sympathies,  in  a  style  that  alike  honored  their  intellectual 
merit  and  their  moral  feeling. 

"  Columbian  Collcgt,  Jan.  15,  1823. 
"  Reverend  Sir, 

"  The  students  in  this  institution,  cherishing  for  your- 
self, as  its  President,  sentiments  of  affectionate  regard, 
cannot  but  be  deeply  intere.sted  in  every  thing  which 
affects  your  happiness.  In  this  hour  of  sorrow,  therefore, 
they  feel  it  to  be  alike  the  dictate  of  their  hearts,  and  ap- 
propriate to  the  relation  which  they  sustain,  to  address 
you,  with  the  expression  of  their  respectful  sympathy.  The 
loss  which  you  have  sustained  they  are  not  able  justly  to 
appreciate.  To  most  of  them  your  lamented  lady  was 
personally  a  stranger ;  yet  they  cannot  but  feel,  that  by 
her  decease  they  have  themselves  been  deprived  of  an 
affectionate  friend,  whose  speedy  accession  to  a  station 
where   her   warm  and  kindly   feelings,  and  her  masculine 


230  MEMOIR      OF 

intellect,  might  be  more  directly  exerted  for  their  welfare, 
they  had  loved  to  anticipate.  They,  therefore,  cannot 
deem  it  an  intrusion,  to  mingle  their  sorrows  with  your 
own,  on  this  mournful  occasion.  They  are  aware  of  the 
impotence  of  human  sympathy  ;  and  they  feel  themselves 
inadequate,  were  it  requisite  or  befitting  their  character 
and  age,  to  offer  the  language  of  consolation.  They  re- 
joice to  believe  that  the  sacred  truths  and  the  cheering 
promises,  which  you  have  so  long  unfolded  to  others,  have 
breathed  into  your  own  bosom  a  '  peace  which  the  world 
cannot  give,'  and  enabled  you  to  hear,  in  this  solemn  mes- 
sage, '  the  voice  which  Jesus  sends,'  to  summon  his  saints 
from  the  sorrows  of  life  to  the  fulness  of  joy  and  immor- 
tality of  heaven. 

"  As  an  expression  of  their  respect  for  the  memory  of 
Mrs.  Staughton,  the  students  have  voted  to  wear  crape  on 
the  left  arm  for  thirty  days.  To  yourself.  Sir,  with  the  as- 
surance of  their  sincere  condolence,  they  beg  leave  to  offer 
their  affectionate  wishes  for  your  happiness ;  with  their 
hope  that  they  may  be  soon  permitted,  in  the  Providence 
of  God,  to  be  taught  by  your  paternal  counsels  and  exam- 
ple, how  to  discharge  with  honor  the  duties  of  life,  and  to 
sustain  its  calamities,  with  the  patience  of  a  '  hope  full  of 
immortality.' 

"With  great  respect.  Sir, 

"  We  are  your  obedient  servants, 

"JAMES  D.  KNOWLES, 

"  On  behalf  of  a  committee  of  the  students. 

Rev.  Dr.  William  Staughton,  Philadelphia." 

The  answer  returned  to  this  letter  breathes  a  sweet,  de- 
voted spirit,  and  an  unaffected  desire  for  their  present  and 
everlasting  prosperity. 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  X.  231 

"  Philadelphia,  Jan.  21,  1823. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

''  I  cannot  give  utterance  to  the  emotion  with  wliich  I 
received  your  favor  of  the  15th,  in  behalf  of  a  committee 
of  the  students  of  the  Columbian  college.  Could  sorrow 
be  removed  by  participation,  the  mass  which  has  recently 
pressed  on  my  soul  had  been  borne  away.  It  is  already 
diminished  by  the  sense  I  possess  of  the  rectitude  and  ex- 
cellency of  the  Divine  Government,  and  by  the  generous 
sympathies  of  the  students  of  the  college,  who  have  learned 
to  feel  before  they  are  called  to  suffer.  The  examinations 
which  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  attending,  convinced  me 
of  the  superiority  of  their  intellectual  improvement.  I  had 
not  anticipated  so  early  a  demonstration  of  their  attention 
to  the  culture  of  the  heart.  I  shall  never  look  on  the  left 
arm  of  any  of  the  amiable  band,  without  recollecting  the 
obligations  under  which  I  am  laid. 

"  To  most  of  them  my  deceased  companion  was  un- 
known. Acquaintance,  nevertheless,  I  am  satisfied,  would 
have  detract«tl  nothing  from  the  impression  of  her  desert. 
She  was  not  less  a  friend  of  science  than  a  disciple  of 
Jesus.  It  was  her  expectation, — but  O  how  vain  is  human 
calculation, — that  she  should  have  slept  in  your  cemetery 
until  the  resurrection  of  the  just.  She  has  bequeathed 
to  the  college  her  anxious  blessing. 

"  Her  last  illness  was  short,  but  it  was  associated  with 
a  calm,  far  different  from  what  an  inflexible  philosophy  can 
pretend.  It  was  softened  by  the  promises  of  inspiration, 
by  the  rays  of  Heaven,  by  the  vision  of  her  Saviour.  The 
victory  of  the  grave  is  too  trivial  and  transient  to  deserve 
the  name. 

"  I  beg  of  you  to  present  to  the  students  every  assur- 
ance of  the  gratitude  of  a  heart,  that  has  long  combined 
the  welfare  of  youth  with   its  most  elevated  desires.     Pur- 


232  MEMOIR      OF 

suing  their  present  course  of  assiduity  in  their  studies,  and 
of  respect  for  the  laws  of  the  Institution,  the  fond  hopes  of 
their  parents  and  guardians  will  be  substantiated,  and  the 
Columbian  college,  with  innocent  pride,  rejoice  that  she 
has  contributed  to  the  fairest  interests  of  the  Republic. 
And  assure  them  that  that  religion  alone  is  worthy  their 
veneration  and  grasp,  which  can  enable  its  possessor,  in 
the  immediate  view  of  death  and  eternity,  to  say,  '  To 
me,  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die,  is  gain.' 

"  With  sentiments  of  the  most  cordial  esteem,  I  am, 
dear  Sir,  yours,  respectfully, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

A  friend  in  Washington,  writing  to  her  son  then  in 
Europe,  closes  by  saying,  "  Think  not,  my  dear  friend, 
that  your  immediate  family  are  the  only  mourners  on  this 
occasion.  The  church  of  Christ,  the  Mission,  the  Edu- 
cation Society,  and  the  cause  of  piety  and  virtue,  have 
lost  a  warm  and  zealous  patron,  a  friend,  and  mother.  As 
far  as  she  was  known  is  her  death  lamented.  '  The 
memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.'  " 


D  n.    s  T  A  u  o  n  T  o  N.  233 


CHAPTER  X. 

His  character  as  a  parent — resignation  of  the  pastoral  office  of  tlie 
Sansom-street  church. 

Ix  kindness  and  affection,  in  all  that  gives  value  to  the 
comforts  of  domestic  life,  Dr.  Staughton  was  a  bright  ex- 
ample. He  asked  no  higher  earthly  favor,  than  to  be  sur- 
rounded by  his  family.  It  was  astonishing,  that,  amid  his 
various  labors,  he  could  find  so  much  time  to  be  with  them. 
For  many  years  it  was  his  uniform  custom,  to  rise  in  sum- 
mer at  four  o'clock,  and  in  winter  at  five,  to  pursue  his 
studies  ;  by  that  means  enabling  himself  to  spend  a  short 
time  occasionally  with  his  family.  It  Avas  even  the  aim, 
both  of  Mrs.  Staughton  and  himself,  to  make  their  children 
feel,  that  they  were  not  in  the  presence  of  rigid  parents,  but 
with  their  friends.  His  motto  was,  "  Make  your  commands 
as  few  as  possible,  but  what  you  direct  have  it  obeyed." 
He  despised  the  rod  for  correction  ;  he  used  to  say,  that 
it  was  an  appeal  to  the  baser  part  of  their  nature  ; 
and  many  very  sprightly  controversies  has  he  held  on  the 
passage,  "  Spare  the  rod,  and  spoil  the  child."  He  was 
peculiarly  anxious  for  his  only  son,  being  fully  aware  that 
many  temptations  were  presented  to  young  men,  particu- 
larly in  a  large  city.  He  would  take  him  to  public  lectures 
on  Chemistry,  Natural  PhiIo.sophy,  &lc.  ;  he  had  him  in- 
structed in  music  and  drawing,  and  by  every  possible 
means  he  endeavored  to  lead  his  mind  from  the  dangerous 
fascinations  to  which  the  young  are  exposed.  He  ever 
desired,  that  his  children,  like  himself,  should  consider 
home,  as  beyond  any  spot  that  earth  could  present. 
21 


234  MEMOIR      OF 

He  was  not  only  anxious  that  they  should  rise  amiable,  j 
accomplished  and  virtuous  members  of  society,  but  that 
they  should  become  disciples  of  the  ascended  Redeemer. 
How  often  did  the  ardent  prayer  arise,  that  they  might  be 
children  of  the  living  God  !  Their  eternal  interests  lay 
near  his  heart. 

In  a  letter,  written  in  the  year  1814,  on  board  a  steam-boat 
to  Baltimore,  to  his  eldest  daughter,  he  says,  "  I  hope  my 
dear  L.  will  endeavor  to  do  every  thing  to  make  her  mamma 
comfortable  and  happy.  Be  always  affectionate  and  kind 
to  your  brother  and  sister.  I  know  your  heart  is  naturally 
kind,  but  take  care  that  no  bad  habits  destroy  that  kind- 
ness. Such  habits  are  easily  contracted,  not  easily  lost, 
and  always  injurious.  I  hope,  too,  my  dear  daughter  will 
be  found  among  the  daughters  of  Jerusalem.  You  have 
often  heard,  and  you  may  read  it  in  the  best  of  books,  that 
you  have  gone  astray  from  God,  as  a  lost  sheep.  We  all  by 
nature  wander  from  him ;  but  he  has  sent  his  beloved  Son 
to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  is  lost.  May  you  have  a 
heart  to  love  and  fear  him.  I,  at  one  time,  thought  of  hav- 
ing put  on  the  grave-stone  of  the  dear  little  brother  you 
never  saw,  what  I  hope  you  may  experimentally  feel, 

'  "Twas  to  save  thee,  child,  from  dying, 
Save  my  dear  from  burning  flame, 
Bitter  groans  and  endless  crying, 
That  the  great  Redeemer  came  !' 

<'  Philadelphia,  May  30,  1828. 
"  My  ever  beloved  child, 

"  Mr.  L.  has  just  called  to  inform  me,  that  you  have  had 
another  attack  of  disease,  but  the  Doctor  thinks  you  are  bet- 
ter. God  grant  that  it  may  be  the  case.  I  do  hope  I  may  re- 
ceive a  letter  by  mail  of  to-day.  If  your  sickness  does  not 
subside  very  soon,  you  will  see  your  poor  old  father. 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  iV.  235 

"  May  the  blessed  Jesus  comfort  your  heart.     You  Jiavc 
nothing,  my  precious  creature,  to  tear.    All  is  well.    Yours, 
•  While  life,  or  thought,  or  being  last.' 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

In  another  letter  he  writes  ; 

"  My  beloved  child, 

"  I  was  very  happy  to  receive  a  line  or  two  from  you  by 
the  mail  of  yesterday,  and  the  more  so,  as  it  announced 
your  freedom  from  pain,  and  your  prospect  of  recovery.  I 
hope  all  our  wishes  may  be  realized.  I  believe,  had  Sam- 
uel's letter  come  an  hour  earlier,  I  should  have  taken  the 
steam-boat,  and  have  hurried  to  see  you.  I  would  have  of- 
fered a  father's  affectionate  sympathies,  if  no  more.  The 
Lord  in  his  infinite  mercy  abundantly  bless  you." 

One  of  the  most  painful  circumstances  of  his  life,  was 
absence  from  his  children.  He  had,  at  one  time,  the  com- 
pany of  his  eldest  grand-child,  which  seemed  to  diminish 
the  sorrow  of  his  heart,  in  consequence  of  separation  from 
his  own  children.     Writing   to   her  mother,  he   observes, 

"  I  sometimes  feel  half  sorry,  solely  on  your  account  and 
Samuel's,  that  you  have  not  her  with  you  ;  but  she  receives, 
as  you  know,  and  will  receive,  the  most  incessant  and 
tenderest  attention.  Iler  company  here  is  inappreciably 
desirable.  Amid  your  domestic  cares,  some  little  portion 
is  taken  off  by  her  absence  ;  and  you  will,  as  well  you  can, 
pity  a  poor  old  man,  who  though  he  have  three  children, 
has  not  one  by  his  side  when  his  head  aches,  or  his  heart 
aches,  to  say,  '  Pa,  I  sympathise  with  you.' 

"  I  am  very  anxious  to  hear  of  the  improvement  of  your 
health.     God  Almighty  bless  you  forever  and  ever. 

"  I  am,  my  beloved  child,  your  very  affectionate  father, 
WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 


236  M  E  ai  o  I R    o  p 

His  letters  to  his  son  while  in  Europe,  discover  not  only 
the  affectionate  parent,  but  the  devout  Christian. 

"  Philadelphia,  June  8,  1822. 
"  My  ever  dear  James, 

*'  On  Monday,  the  10th,  the  Unicorn  is  advertised  for 
sailing.  As  to-morrow  I  expect  to  preach  three  times,  and 
as  I  know  not  the  hour  on  Monday,  at  which  the  letter-bag 
may  be  removed,  I  take  time  by  the  fore-lock,  and  write 
you  to-day.  Mr.  L.  and  myself  rose  between  four  and  five 
in  the  morning,  after  you  left  us.  We  thought  we  saw  the 
Philadelphia,  near  the  Pea-patch,  hoisting  her  sails.  We 
threw  a  thousand  good  wishes  after  you,  and,  I  trust,  a  fer- 
vent prayer  to  heaven  for  your  preservation.  Your  Cape 
letter  came  safe  to  hand,  for  which  we  thank  you.  Your 
dear  mother  and  sisters  have  borne  the  separation  quite  as 
well  as  I  expected.  Your  mother  especially  has  discovered 
that  fortitude,  which  a  persuasion  that  you  are  in  the  path 
of  duty,  and  a  deep  anxiety  for  your  future  professional  em- 
inence, were  so  well  calculated  to  produce.  She  knows, 
and  we  all  know,  that  you  are  in  the  hands  of  an  Almighty 
Protector,  and  though  the  loss  of  the  Albion  created,  as 
you  will  suppose,  a  good  deal  of  solicitous  feeling,  that 
feeling  has  subsided,  and  we  are  now  calculating,  that  as 
this  is  the  21st  day  since  you  left  the  Capes,  that  our 
James, 

"  Aut  portum  tenet,  aut  pleno  subit  ostia  velo." 

"  We  have  kept  an  accurate  register  of  the  winds  since 
you  left  us,  which  we  hope  to  forward  by  the  Manchester. 

"  You  may  rest  assured  the  papers  are  well  searched  to 
ascertain  whether  the  Philadelphia  has  been  spoken  or  not. 
The  Manchester  is  expected  to  sail  on  the  20th  inst.  Pro- 
fessor Woods,  it  is  next  to   a  certainty,   will  come  out  in 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  237 

her.  I  expected  to  have  seen  him  by  the  steam-bout  of  this 
morning.  His  success  has  been  astonishing.  He  has  ob- 
tained subscriptions,  between  fourteen  and  fifteen  thou- 
sand dollars,  of  which  three  or  four  thousand  liave  been 
paid.  I  have  no  doubt  he  will  stir  up  the  English  to  make 
handsome  contributions.  Your  mother,  sisters,  and,  I  sup- 
pose, almost  all  the  family,  calculate  on  writing  you  by  the 
Professor. 

"  Arrived  in  England,  you  will  feel  you  are  in  the  land 
of  your  forefathers.  I  am  sure  that  your  ambition  will 
prompt  you  to  seize  every  opportunity  for  the  improvement 
of  your  mind.  I  know  I  need  not  urge  you  to  husband 
well  your  time.  Resolve  to  shine  in  your  profession.  You 
have  a  sphere  of  action  already  noble,  and  which  is  replete 
with  promise.  I  beg  of  you  to  write  much.  A  continued 
novelty  of  scene  will  tend  to  obliterate  from  the  memory, 
what  ought  to  be  retained.  Above  all,  my  dear  child, 
commend  your  body  and  spirit  into  the  hand  of  the  God 
who  has  created  you,  and  of  that  divine  Redeemer,  whose 
loving  kindness  is  better  than  life. 

"  Your  dear  mother  sends  you  her  tenderest  love,  and 
largest  blessings.  Leonora,  Elizabeth,  and  Amelia  desire 
their  love.  They  often  regret  that  they  have  nobody  to 
tease  them.  They  all  long  to  see  your  face  again,  and  to 
hear  you  speak. 

"  Present  our   very   affectionate   regards  to   your   uncle 
John  and  wife,  and  to  all  our  dear  relations  in  London. 
"  Your  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

"  Steam-boat  Delaicare,  June  20,  1822. 
"  My  dear  James, 

"  Your  mother  and   sisters  have    written  you.     I  have 
been  a  good  deal  employed  in  writing  letters  for  Professor 
21* 


238  MEMOIR     OF 

Woods,  so  that  you  will  have  to  excuse  me.  I  wrote  you, 
however,  on  the  10th  pretty  largely,  by  the  Unicorn.  The 
similitude  of  the  case  of  Mr.  Woods,  whom  1  am  now  ac- 
companying to  Newcastle,  as  I,  about  thirty-six  days  ago, 
accompanied  yourself,  brings  up  a  number  of  tender  recol- 
lections. 

"  By  the  present  time,  I  trust  you  are  safely  landed  on 
the  '  fast  anchored  isle.'  We  have  carefully  inspected  the 
ship  news  ever  since  you  left  us  ;  but  we  do  not  find  that 
you  have  been  spoken.  That,  however,  is  merely  an  inci- 
dent, and  we  don't  allow  it  to  communicate  a  moment's 
pain.  In  about  a  month  or  six  weeks  at  most,  from  the 
present,  we  shall  look  for  a  letter. 

"  Several  vessels  are  about  leaving  Philadelphia  for  Liv- 
erpool. You  will,  if  all  be  well,  soon  hear  from  me  again. 
Meanwhile,  my  dear  child,  I  commend  you  into  the  hands 
of  a  gracious  God. 

"  Your  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON. ' 

"  Philadelphia,  August  5,  1822. 
"  My  ever  dear  Son, 

"  One  of  Mr.  Welsh's  sons  has  just  called  to  tell  me 
that  the  Philadelphia  arrived  in  Liverpool  the  25th  of 
June,  the  same  day  that  the  Cortes,  which  brings  the  in- 
telligence, left  that  port  for  New  York.  Blessed  be  the 
Lord  for  all  his  mercies  !  Having  heard  nothing  of  you 
from  the  time  of  your  sailing,  your  dear  mother  and  myself 
began  to  feel  very  anxious,  but  God  is  ever  merciful  be- 
yond our  fears. 

"  We  are  all  well,  excepting  your  dear  mother,  who 
complains  much  of  the  want  both  of  appetite  and  strength. 
I  am  satisfied  she  will  be  better  as  soon  as  she  hears  of 
your  safe  arrival.     She  and  your  sisters  are  still  boarding 


D  U.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  239 

at  Fraiikford,  where  I  expect  tliey  will  stay  a  few  days 
longer,  and  the  more  so,  as  some  cases  of  yellow  fever 
have  occurred  in  New  York,  and  from  the  constant  inter- 
coniinunication  between  this  city  and  that,  it  is  not  im- 
probable we  shall  have  cases  here. 

"  I  propose  calling-  this  morning  on  Mr.  Fry,  and  ob- 
taining a  file  of  his  papers  from  the  time  of  your  sailing. 
This  will  give  you  the  news,  and  afford  you  amusement. 
Should  I  succeed  in  obtaining  them,  1  shall  send  them  to 
the  care  of  Samuel  Hope,  Esq.  Liverpool. 

"  Well,  my  dear  boy  !  you  are  now  in  the  land  of  your 
forefathers.  Improve  well  your  time.  See  all  you  can. 
Learn  all  you  can.  Make  frequent  memorandums  of 
every  thing  that  strikes  you.  We  shall  expect  to  find 
you  wiser,  in  every  point  of  view,  than  when  you  left  us. 
Never  let  your  spirits  grow  dejected.  You  have  many  in 
England  that  will  prove  intelligent  and  affectionate  friends. 
I  am  sure  your  relations  will  make  you  as  happy  as  they 
can.  The  blessing  of  your  affectionate  parents,  and  the 
blessing,  I  trust,  of  the  God  of  mercy,  rest  upon  you. 

"  The  post-man  has  just  brought  me  your  letter,  of  the 
date  July  24th.     I   thank  you,  my  dear  child,   for  the  in- 
telligence it  contains.     Write  us  often. 
"  Your  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

"  Pliiladdphia,  Oct.  10,  18-22. 
"  My  ever  dear  James, 

"  I  have  almost  all  day  long  been  engaged  in  attending 
to  the  business  of  the  Domestic  Mission  Society,  which 
the  whole  morning,  and  part  of  the  afternoon  has  been 
holding  its  annual  meeting.  This  evening  Miss  G.  came 
to  say  that  Mr.  C.  was  in  Wilmington,  and  that  hei 
brother  would  leave  Philadelphia  to-morrow  morning,  and 


240  MEMOIR      OF 

would  furnish  an  opportunity  of  conveying  to  him  any 
letters  we  might  wish  to  send.  He  sails  in  the  Moss.  It 
is  probable  he  will  not  reach  England  before  you  have  set 
out  for  Paris.  I  shall  give  him  direction  to  find  you  in 
London,  should  you  yet  be  there.  If  not,  he  will  hand 
you  this  when  you  are  surrounded  with  Monsieurs  and 
Madames. 

"  I  trust  you  have  kept  your  French  in  view,  and  I  advise 
you  to  speak  boldly  in  France  all  the  French  you  know. 
Your  ear  will  soon  catch  the  idioms  in  common  conversa- 
tion. Cut  boldly,  and  your  razor  will  get  through  the 
whetstone.  I  confide  in  your  talent  and  industry  for  un- 
derstanding all  the  lectures.  I  am  content  you  should 
laugh  at  your  father's  French,  provided  you  will  master 
the  language  yourself,  a  task  which  I  am  confident  you 
can  accomplish.  Depend  much  on  your  ear, — more  on 
your  reading  and  grammatical  knowledge. 

"  It  gives  your  father  and  mother  pleasure  to  find  you 
dining  vv^ith  Mr.  Rush,  Mr.  Wilberforce,  «fec.  You  have 
too  much  good  sense  to  become  vain  by  such  attentions 
on  the  one  hand,  and  to  undervalue  them  on  the  other.  I 
am  glad  you  have  been  introduced  to  Adam  Clarke,  L.  L.  D. 
I  cannot  in  every  point  of  divinity  go  hand  in  hand  with 
him  ;  but  his  Commentary  proves,  that  he  is  no  common 
scholar,  no  common  Christian. 

"  The  fever  in  New  York  still  rages, — nine  new  cases 
yesterday.  It  would  seem  that  Dr.  Frost  is  in  higher  esti- 
mation than  all  the  New  York  doctors  besides.  The 
people  there  are  no  doubt  looking  and  praying  for  his 
arrival.  The  doctors  here  inquire  affectionately  after  you. 
Dr.  B.  met  me  in  the  street  yesterday.  He  had  many 
questions  to  ask,  and  many  good  wishes  to  utter.  Dr.  C, 
a  few  days  ago,  inquired  after  your  welfare  with  much 
earnestness. 


D  K.    S  T  A  U  U  li  T  O  N.  241 

"  The  letter  bag  of  the  Moss  and  tlie  Electia  will  be 
taken  from  the  cotfee-house  on  Sabbath  morning.  By  the 
one  or  the  other  I  shall  endeavor  to  write  you  again.  I 
beg  you,  my  dear  child,  to  accept  our  affectionate  thanks 
for  your  letters.  I  know  you  will  continue  to  write  often. 
Give  us  a  view  of  Paris,  similar  to  what  you  have  given  of 
Liverpool  and  London. 

"  VVe  are  all  grieved  at  your  walking  so  much.  I  beg  of 
you  to  refrain.  Ne  quid  niinis.  Do,  my  son,  refrain. 
Fatigue  of  body  will  not  only  hinder  your  health,  but  your 
studies.  Your  mamma  continues  tolerably  well.  She  and 
your  sisters  will  tell  you  the  news  better  than  I  can. 
"  Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGIITON." 


Extract  from  a  Letter,  dated  Oct.  19,  1S22. 

"We  talk  of  you  every  day,  and  shall  hail  the  day,  on 
which,  if  the  Lord  will,  we  may  welcome  you  to  a  home 
which  you  have  learned  to  love,  whose  portals  are  always 
open,  and  whose  tables  are  always  spread  for  our  beloved 
children.  I  cannot  but  highly  approve  your  resolution, 
not  to  return  until  you  shall  have  accomplished  the  object 
of  your  voyage.  The  Lord  blei^s  you,  my  dearest  boy, 
and  grant  you  the  grace  that  shall  determine  your  choice 
to  that  good  thing  which  shall  never  be  taken  from  you." 

December  12,  1822. 
"  My  dear  child, 

"  We  have  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  letters  of 
the  20th  of  September,  by  the  Halcyon,  and  the  12th  of 
October,  by  the  Manchester.  The  latter  arrived  some 
days  before  the  former.     Your  dear  mother,  and  all  of  us, 


242  MEMOIR     OF 

thank  you  a  thousand  times  for  your  very  pleasant  com- 
munications. They  are  as  cold  waters  to  a  thirsty  soul  ! 
If  you  have  been  so  happy  as  to  have  received  our 
answers,  you  will  find  we  are  not  delinquents  in  cor- 
respondence. 

"  We  are  glad  you  have  made  a  tour  through  Oxford, 
Bristol,  Worcester,  &/C.  The  whole  route  is  still  familiar 
to  my  recollection.  I  will  take  care  very  particularly  to 
acknowledge  the  kindness  of  the  excellent  men,  with 
whom  I  am  happy  you  have  formed  an  acquaintance,  and 
whose  readiness  to  contribute  to  your  comfort  was  so 
amiable  and  uniform.  Your  access  to  the  colleges  in 
Oxford  must  have  been  peculiarly  pleasing.  '  And  so,' 
mother  says,  '  My  dear  James  has  crossed  Bromsgrove 
Lickey !'  You  have,  no  doubt,  been  struck  with  the  lofti- 
ness and  antiquity  of  the  spire  of  St.  Michael's,  in  Coven- 
try, unless  London  scenes  had  taken  off  the  impressions 
which  novel  objects  usually  awaken. 

"  You  little  know  what  pleasure  it  gave  us  to  find  our 
dear  boy,  rising  before  a  Bible  society,  an  advocate  for  the 
best  book  the  world  contains.  May  you  often  vindicate 
its  honors,  and  rejoice  in  the  blessings  which  it  commu- 
nicates. 

"  Your  funds,  my  dear  son,  you  have  husbanded  sur- 
prisingly. I  shall  expect  very  soon  to  hear  that  you  have 
drawn  upon  me  for  more.  You  can  do  this,  I  trust,  with 
ease,  through  the  medium  of  Mr.  Ivimey,  Mr.  Page  or  Mr. 
Butterworth.  Any  amount  you  may  draw  for  shall  be, 
most  assuredly,  duly  Iwnored.  I  again  beseech  you  to 
draw  for  whatever  you  want.  I  like  the  idea  of  your 
boarding  with  Dr.  Cox,  and  yet  I  am  afraid  you  and  he 
will  talk  too  much  English  together.  I  almost  wish  you 
were  separate,  each  in  a  French  family.  I  would  have 
you  get  as  much  French  as  you  can.     An  ability  to  con- 


DR.      ST  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  243 

verse  in  French,  may  prove  to   you  a  treasure.     All   unite 
in  tenderest  love.     The  Lord  preserve  and  bless  you. 
"  Your  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

"  PMladdpMa,  Jan.  20,  1S23. 
"  My  dearest  James, 

"  The  Manchester  left  this  place  on  the  5th  instant. 
1  wrote  you  by  her.  She  descended  the  river  as  far  as 
the  fort,  where  she  has  been,  by  the  ice,  ever  since  de- 
tained. Mr.  W.  has  written  me  a  line  to  say,  that  she  has 
got  down  farther,  and  that  if  I  send  him  a  letter  to-night, 
he  will  see  to  its  being  forwarded  by  her.  But  O,  my 
precious  child,  what  different  intelligence  will  the  two  let- 
ters convey.  In  that  of  the  5th,  I  told  you  we  were  all 
well.  Your  dear  mother  was  seized  with  a  chill  about 
half  past  eleven,  on  the  4th,  but  we  supposed  it  then,  and 
when  I  closed  my  letter,  a  mere  aguish  attack.  Dr.  Paris 
was  sent  for,  he  thought  otherwise.  It  was  the  forerunner 
of  a  typhus  fever, — its  seat  was  more  immediately  in  the 
breast.  She  continued  until  twenty  minutes  before  twelve, 
on  Friday  evening,  and  then  left  us.  I  wrote  you  an  ac- 
count of  her  indisposition  and  dissolution,  by  the  Columbia, 
about  six  or  seven  days  from  New  York.  That  letter,  I 
expect,  will  reach  you  before  this  can,  as  the  Columbia  is 
said  to  be  a  fast  sailer. 

"  Now,  my  dear,  dear  son,  I  feel  for  you.  The  sorrow- 
ful intelligence  will  reach  you  in  a  land  of  strangers,  a 
land  of  levity.  I  pray  you  may  find  the  affliction  sancti- 
fied to  your  immortal  welfare.  But  don't,  my  ever  dear 
child,  don't  sink  under  it.  You  have  had  your  dear 
mother  many  years.  Your  father,  if  he  lives,  will  en- 
deavor to  be  father  and  mother  too.  Her  final  sickness 
was  short,  and  not  painful.     She   died  gentle  as   an  infant 


244  M  E  M  01  R      O  F 

falling  asleep  on  a  mother's  knee.  Her  soul  was  filled 
with  heavenly  consolation.  Death  had  no  sting, — the 
grave  no  victory.  She  could  never  have  departed  more 
happily  as  to  her  own  feelings.  Let  me  beg  of  you  not  to 
suffer  the  decease  of  your  dearest  mother  to  disturb  any  of 
your  plans.  Her  sudden  attack,  which  Dr.  P.  told  us  was 
more  like  that  of  Dr.  Wistar's  than  any  he  had  ever  seen, 
no  earthly  power  could  prevent  or  repel.  It  was  not  the 
decay  of  nature,  it  was  the  irruption  of  typhus  fever.  Had 
you  been  here,  your  skill  and  filial  tenderness  would  have 
been  alike  unavailable.  Now  remember  that  it  was  the 
wish  of  your  dear  mother  that  you  visit  Italy,  and  espec- 
ially Rome.  See  Naples  too,  if  possible.  Make  the  very 
best  you  can  of  your  visit  to  Europe,  before  you  return  to 
the  arms  of  your  father,  your  sisters,  and  Amelia. 

"  The  testimonies  of  respect  your  dear  mother's  memory 
has  received,  are  multiplied  and  affecting.  Letters  have 
come  from  the  trustees  of  the  college,  the  faculty,  the  stu- 
dents, in  form.  The  latter  have  resolved  on  wearing  crape 
on  the  left  arm  for  thirty  days.  This  is  truly  kind.  Phil- 
adelphia has  done  her  part.  A  larger  funeral,  perhaps, 
was  never  seen.  It  seemed  as  if  not  only  Sansom-street, 
but  the  whole  city  felt  respect  and  affection  to  be  a  solemn 
duty. 

"  Your  sisters  and  Amelia  send  their  best  love.  We  all 
long  for  what  you  amiably  call  '  the  glorious  day'  of  your 
return. 

"  The  Lord  bless  and  support  you.     Amid  the  mutations 
of  time,  may  you  find  that  God  is  your  soul's  eternal  rock. 
"  Your  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  245 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  January  23,  1823,  relating  to  the 
same  mournful  subject. 

"  Each  of  my  last  mentioned  an  occurrence,  which  we 
shall  never  forget.  The  10th  of  January  was  the  last  day 
of  your  dear  mother's  continuance  on  earth.  Her  depart- 
ure was  soft  and  calm.  Her  consolations  in  Christ  Jesus 
were  divinely  strong.  O,  my  dear  child,  how  much  I  wish 
I  were  near  you,  to  pour  into  your  wounds  all  a  father's 
sympathies.  But,  my  James,  the  Lord  is  near,  cast  thy 
burden  on  him. 

"Recollect,  my  child,  the  sources  of  comfort  that  open 
before  you.  Your  dear  mother  had  reached  her  sixtieth 
year.  She  had  escaped  many  a  pain  and  infirmity  that  ac- 
company life's  decline.  Her  soul  was  ready  for  its  pas- 
pTge  ;  she  has  left  us  her  example  and  her  blessing,  and,  I 
trust,  it  will  be  our  mercy  to  meet  her  in  the  land,  where 

'  Adieus  and  farewells  are  sounds  unknown.'  "' 

"  PhUdclelpMa,  April  24,  1823. 
"  My  dearest  James, 

"  Your  kind  favors,  of  February  20th  and  27th,  have  ar- 
rived. I  will  not  renew  to  your  mind  the  sorrowful  theme 
on  which  they  so  tenderly  and  amiably  treat.  God  grant 
that  we  may  all  find  our  hearts  made  better  by  affliction  ; 
and  should  you  become  a  parent,  may  you  have  children 
whose  kindness  shall  repay  to  you  your  amiable  obedience 
to  the  best  of  mothers.  I  send  you  the  number  of  the 
Luminary,  which  contains  the  outlines  of  her  decease.  A 
few  days  ago  I  wrote  Dr.  Collyer,  thanking  him  for  all  his 
very  obliging  attentions  to  you,  and  informing  him  that  he 
has  been  unanimously  elected  a  member  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society.  Show  him  your  dear  mother's 
dying  experience. 


246  MEMOIR     OF 

"  I  am  pleased  much  with  the  idea  of  Professor  Wood^s 
accompanying  you  on  your  Italian  tour.  I  do  hope  he  may 
be  able  to  be  with  you.     It  will  promote  his  happiness  and 

yours  also, 

*  ******  * 

"  The  Lord  bless  you,  my  dear  son.  Into  the  hands  of 
the  Father  of  mercy,  you  are  affectionately  commended,  by 
one,  who  will  never  cease  to  love  you. 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

To  write  to  his  children  and  grand-children,  was  an  ex- 
ercise in  which  he  delighted.  Every  thing  which  interest- 
ed himself,  he  wished  to  share  with  them.  The  simple  and 
aifectionate  character  of  his  effusions,  and  the  anxiety 
which  he  manifested  in  their  welfare,  are  exhibited  in  the 
most  artless  manner,  in  the  letter  which  follows,  addressed 
to  his  eldest  grand-child.  It  shows  him  at  hoine,  and 
portrays  the  warmth  of  his  attachment, 

"  My  dear  Mary, 

"  Grandpa  would  be  very  glad  to  see  you ;  but  he  is  under 
the  necessity  of  living  a  great  icay  off  iroxa.  you.  He  loves 
you  still  as  much  as  ever.  He  hopes  he  may  come  down 
the  Delaware  and  Chesapeake  to  see  you.  Be,  my  darling, 
a  very  good  child.  Mind  all  Pa  and  Ma  say  to  you,  and 
every  body  will  love  you, — the  Lord  will  love  you,  and 
you  will  be  happy  while  you  live,  and  when  you  die." 

Poetry  for  his  grand-daughter  Mary,  composed  a  short   time  previous 
to  his  death. 

"  Judea,  once  a  female  gave, 
As  virtue  fair,  as  sorrow  grave, 
Mother  of  him  who  came  to  save. 

Her  name  was  Mary 


DR.      S  T  A  I'  G  n  T  O  N.  247 

"  An  amiable  sister  sat, 
At  tlie  Redeemer's  feet, 
And  licard  his  words  in  accents  sweet. 
Her  name  was  Mary. 

^A  sad  spectatress  of  his  tears, 
To  Jesus'  tomb,  her  spices  bears, 
The  Saviour  cliased  her  swelling  fears. 

Her  name  was  Marij: 

"  And  see  disciples  weep  and  pray, 
When  Peter  deep  imprisoned  lay, 
'Twas  to  tliy  house,  he  shaped  his  way, 
Thou  pious  Mary. 

*'  Cowper,  I  bless  thy  magic  line, 
Thy  classic  touch,  thy  strain  divine, 
A  sympathizing  friend  was  thine, 

Her  name  was  Mary. 

"  And  I  had  a  soft  soother  too, 
But  she  has  vanish'd  from  my  view, 
Far,  far  above  heaven's  brightest  blue. 
Her  name  was  Mary. 

"  But  I  have  a  sweet  prattler  still, 
Sweeter  than  morn  on  eastern  hill, 
Dear  opening  flower,  I'll  love  thee  still, 
Her  name  is  Mary. 

Letter  to  Ids  youngest  daughter. 

"  Washington,  Feb.  9,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Elizabeth, 

"  Your  letter  of  the  7th  instant  was  handed  me  half  an 
hour  ago,  for  which  accept  my  thanks.  I  thought  much 
of  poor  Gross,  as  I  was  riding  on  Friday,  and  am  obliged 
by  what  you  have  written  relative  to  his  execution.  I  trust, 
notwithstanding  the  enormity  of  his  offence,  its  stain  has 
been  washed  away  by  the  atoning  blood  of  the  Redeemer. 
It  must  have  been  an  affecting  sight,  to  have  beheld  him 
walking  with  the  rope  round  his  body.     The   hymns  sung 


248  MEMOIR      OF 

must,  at  least,  have  soothed,  as  to  his  own  mind,  the  mourn- 
ful procession.  Ever,  my  child,  reflect  on  the  evil  of  sin, 
and  pray  for  grace,  to  be  preserved  from  its  destroying  in- 
fluence. This  morning  I  preached  for  Mr.  B.,  and  this 
afternoon  administered  for  him  the  Lord's  Supper.  To- 
morrow, I  commence  teaching  at  the  college.  I  shall  tell 
you,  in  a  day  or  two,  how  I  like  it.  I  was  struck,  this 
morning,  on  seeing  the  crape  on  the  arms  of  the  students, 
in  memory  of  the  loss  of  your  invaluable  mother.  I  under- 
stand, that  the  idea  originated  wholly  with  themselves. 

"  Wishing  you,  my  dearest  child,  to  engrave  on  your 
memory,  your  dear  mother's  dying  charge — '  My  dear 
Elizabeth,  don't  be  fascinated  with  the  objects  ot  this  vain 
and  dying  world,'  and  that  her  God  may  be  yours  forever 
and  ever, 

"  I  am  your  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

The  following  letter,  written  to  the  gentleman  who  was 
then  engaged,  and  afterwards  married,  to  his  youngest 
daughter,  contains  a  brief  but  pointed  exhibition  of  the  im- 
moral tendency  of  theatrical  exhibitions. 

"  Columbian  College,  Feb.  24,  1823. 
"  My  dear  friend, 

"  I  have  received  a  few  lines  from  you  this  morning, 
which  came  by  the  mail,  that  should  have  arrived  at  two 
o'clock  yesterday.  From  the  delay  I  am  led  to  infer  that 
the  roads  are  almost  impassable.  How  I  shall  make  my 
way  home  this  week,  I  know  not. 

"  I  thank  you  for  the  spirit  in  which  your  kindness  has 
received  my  last  letter  to  you.  Far  be  it  from  me,  at  any 
time,  for  a  single  moment,  to  give  you  pain.  I  wrote  un- 
der the  impulse  of  feelings,  which  I  believe  to  have  been 


DR.    .ST  \  I-  f;  n  T  o  .\.  249 

correct,  and  with  a  sincere  desire  to  prevent  that  from  rising 
into  habit,  which  I  am  confident  has  been  the  ruin  of  thou- 
sands. At  the  theatre,  phiys  arc  usually  admired  in  propor- 
tion to  the  intrigue  which  they  discover;  and  un.'mspecting 
'minds  learn  these  intrigues ;  and  instead  of  upright,  virtuous 
citizens,  become  the  victims  of  fraudulent  passions.  The 
Greek  word  for  a  stage-player,  vTt-oK^iTYn,  signifies  a  hypo- 
crite. At  the  theatre,  the  whole  system  is  hypocrisy.  The 
tears,  the  joys,  the  declamations,  &/C.  are  all  a  round  of 
dissembling.  To  every  thing  that  can  contribute  to  your 
happiness,  I  shall  ever  be  proud  to  contribute;  but  such 
are  the  views  I  am  constrained  to  cherish  concerning 
play-houses,  whatever  the  splendor  of  their  structure,  or 
tlie  magnificence  of  their  internal  decorations,  that  I  am 
compelled  to  say  with  the  Patriarch,  '  To  their  assembly, 
mine  honour,  be  not  thou  united.'  I  never  wish  to  dictate 
the  path  that  any  of  my  dear  children  shall  pursue.  Ar- 
rived at  the  age  of  reflection,  in  a  thousand  things  they 
must  judge  for  themselves ;  but  if  I  saw  a  dear  child  ex- 
posed to  flames,  and  did  not  fly  to  caution  and  to  rescue,  I 
should,  in  my  child's  estimation,  ill  deserve  the  sacred  and 
endearing  name  of  father.  Permit  me,  my  dear  sir,  to  say, 
that  the  affectionate  manner  in  which  you  have  received 
what  I  have  written,  has  endeared  you  to  my  heart  more 
tlmn  ever.  Let  the  subject  henceforth  drop,  and  become 
like  waters  '  forgotten  of  the  foot.' 

"  Yours,  very  sincerely, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

The  following  letter  to  lii.s  son,  upon  receiving  the  wel- 
come news  of  his  return  from  Europe,  exhibits  the  breath- 
ings of  parental  affection.  He  landed  in  Philadelphia,  and 
remained  a  few  days  with  his  sister  and  the  friends  in  that 
place,  previously  to  his  repairing  to  the  city  of  Washington 
22* 


250  MEMOIR     OF 

"  Washington,  Nov.  12,  1823. 
"  My  dear  child, 

"  Your  letter  has  arrived,  announcing  your  safe  arrival 
in  Philadelphia.  My  full  heart  can  only  say,  '  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy 
name.' 

"  When  your  letter  came,  we  were  setting  at  dinner. 
Bessy  danced  for  joy  ;  Amelia  grew  sick  for  joy. '  How  is 
my  dear  Nora  1  Great  big  round  tears  have  tumbled  out  of 
her  fountains.  I  envy  her  joy,  but  I  share  it  at  the  same 
time.  I  shall  not  write  you  much  to-night.  3Iind  now, 
I  give  you  to  your  dear  Leonora,  and  all  your  Philadelphia 
friends  until  Monday  next,  at  noon.  That  v»'ill  be  just 
what  I  promised,  a  week.  Then  Elizabeth,  Amelia,  and 
I  will,  if  the  Lord  please,  meet  you  at  Mr.  B.'s,  who  invites 
us  to  dine  on  Tuesday. 

"  Your  too  happy  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

The  circumstances  which  led  to  his  connexion  with  the 
Columbian  college  have  been  stated.  The  resignation  of 
his  pastoral  charge  in  Philadelphia,  with  a  view  to  his  loca- 
tion in  the  District  of  Columbia,  gave  him  considerable 
anxiety  and  embarrassment.  He  was  aware  of  the  sacrifices 
he  must  make,  and  most  deeply  regretted  leaving  his  church 
and  congregation.  He  firndy  believed,  that  his  happiness 
would  be  promoted  by  remaining  with  them  ;  andnothino- 
but  deference  to  the  wishes  of  the  Convention,  and  his  own 
convictions  of  duty,  induced  him  to  accept  the  presidency. 
The  correspondence,  which  occurred  in  relation  to  tliis 
movement,  will  prove  the  best  illustration  which  ciiu  now 
be  ffiven. 


D  K.      ST  A  V  G  H  T  O  N.  251 

Coj)t/  of  a  htfir  from  the  c/iitrch  in   Sansom-strcct,  dated 
October  15,  1821. 

"  Rev.  William  Staugliton, 

"Beloved  brother  and  pastor, 

"  With  deep  anxiety  we  have  heard,  since  the  last  meet- 
ing of  the  Convention,  that  efforts  were  making  to  induce 
you  to  resign  your  relationship  as  our  pastor,  with  a  view  of 
your  becoming  president  of  the  new  college  at  Washington. 
We  were  much  agitated  on  the  subject;  yet,  as  a  church, 
no  notice  was  taken  of  it,  in  hopes  that  time  would  dis- 
sipate the  rumors ;  but  at  a  late  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  that  institution,  when  your  appointment  to  that 
office  was  made,  greatly  increased  our  uneasiness.  We 
have  been  anxiously  expecting  to  hear  from  you  on  the 
subject :  but  as  this  has  not  been  the  case,  we  find  it  neces- 
sary to  address  you,  because  we  are  persuaded  it  has  tended 
generally  to  paralyze  our  efforts  to  extinguish  the  debt  of 
the  church,  or  even  to  provide  for  our  periodical  expenses. 
Some,  to  whom  application  has  been  made,  have  refused 
their  aid,  unless  they  could  be  assured  of  your  continuance. 

"  These,  together  with  a  general  inability  to  contribute 
to  the  support  of  divine  worship,  as  formerly,  from  the  al- 
most unparalleled  stagnation  and  embarrassment  of  every 
kind  of  business  for  some  years  past,  which  has  involved 
several  of  our  number  in  the  deepest  affliction,  have  pre- 
vented their  compliance  with  the  command,  '  to  owe  no 
man  any  thing.' 

"  In  addition  to  these,  the  arm  of  the  Lord  has  not  been 
revealed  among  us  as  heretofore,  which  almost  induces  us 
to  say,  *  the  whole  head  is  sick,  and  the  whole  heart  is 
flint.'  Truth  and  duty  call  upon  us  to  declare,  that  this 
i-  not  owing  to  any  want  of  zeal  or  faithfulness  in  your 
public  labors  among  us. 


252  MEMOIR      OF 

"  We,  therefore,  most  affectionately  beg  leave  to  submit 
to  that  wisdom  and  prudence,  which  have  marked  your  go- 
ing in  and  out  among  us,  why  you  should  continue  with  us, 
the  following  reasons : 

"  1.  Because  your  labors  in  the  Lord  have  been  more 
abundantly  owned  and  blessed  in  this  city  than  any  where 
else. 

"  2.  Because  your  pastoral  labors,  as  far  as  we  can  judge, 
have  been  more  useful  than  any  other  you  can  engage  in  ; 
we  therefore  submit,  that  any  employment  that  would  in- 
terfere with  them,  is  undesirable. 

"  3.  Because  as  a  church,  vve  are  the  first  of  your  la- 
bors, we  are  joined  in  sincere  affection  to  you,  and  though 
we  have  been  unable  to  tender  to  you  that  support  we 
could  wish,  we  hope  that  by  determining  to  remain  with 
us,  it  would  so  be  the  means  of  uniting  our  exertions,  that 
aided  by  yours,  we  would  be  enabled  to  fulfil  our  engage- 
ments with  you,  and  reduce,  and,  finally  extinguish,  our 
debt ;  and  you,  in  the  mean  time,  so  supported,  that  those 
affections  which  your  services  in  the  sanctuary  have  en- 
kindled, may  be  increased  more  permanently  in  the  social 
cir(;le. 

"  4.  Because  your  leaving  us,  under  the  pressure  of  a 
debt  large  as  ours,  would,  in  all  probability,  entirely  bank- 
rupt us ;  a  circumstance  which  we  are  assured  could  not 
fail  greatly  to  affiict  you. 

"  5.  Because,  after  your  departing,  we  fear  grievous 
wolves  may  enter  in  among  us,  not  sparing  the  flock  ;  also 
of  our  own  selves  men  may  arise,  speaking  perverse  things, 
to  draw  away  disciples  after  them ;  and  so  necessary  are 
your  continued  exertions  in  support  of  missionary  and  ed- 
ucation societies  among  our  denomination  in  this  city, 
that  there  is  every  reason  to  fear,  were  you  to  leave  it,  they 
would  be,  in  a  great  measure,  prostrated. 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N. 


253 


"  Lastly,  should  you  have  conceived  the  idea  of  leaving 
us,  which  we  sincerely  trust,  has  not  been  the  case,  and 
the  foregoing  reasons  with  many  others  that  might  be  urged, 
should  not  induce  you  to  continue  with  us,  we  will,  we 
trust,  botli  endeavor  and  earnestly  pray,  tliat  your  going 
out  from  us  may  be  as  affectionate  as  your  coming  in  was. 

"  We  remain,  dear  pastor,  your  affectionate  brethren  and 
sisters  in  the  gospel  of  our  connnon  Lord  and  Saviour. 

"  Read  and  approved  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Sansom-street,  and  signed  by  order  and  in  behalf 
of  the  whole. 

JOHN  OWENS,  Clerk:' 

The  reply  to  the  above  letter. 

"  November 'i,  182L 
"  Dear  brethren, 

"  The  circumstances  in  which  I  have  lately  found  my- 
self, have  been  in  a  high  degree  painful  and  embarrassing. 
Few  pastors  of  a  church  of  Christ  have  enjoyed  more 
pleasure  than  myself,  in  the  relation  that  has  subsisted 
between  us,  and  none  ever  felt  less  inclination  to  relin- 
quish his  charge.  It  has  been  in  my  heart  to  live  and  die 
with  you.  On  the  other  hand,  an  institution  has  been 
established  at  Washington,  whose  location,  I  had  hoped, 
would  have  been  in  or  near  Philadelphia,  which  promises 
to  be  extensively  useful  to  our  denomination  at  large,  with 
which  I  have  been,  in  various  ways,  for  several  years, 
more  or  less  connected,  and  to  the  presidency  of  which 
I  have  been  chosen. 

"  The  only  reason  for  your  not  having  heard  from  me 
on  tlie  subject,  has  arisen  from  the  extreme  difficulty  I 
have  felt  to  determine  what  course  I  ought  to  pursue.  I 
fully  appreciate  the  arguments  you  offer  for  my  stay  among 


254  MEMOIR      OF 

you.  I  am  thankful  for  any  success  that  has  attended 
my  imperfect  labors  in  Philadelphia,  and  particularly  in 
Sansom-street.  I  reciprocate,  from  my  inmost  heart,  every 
expression  of  affection  you  utter,  and  trust  that  from 
grievous  wolves,  and  men  speaking  (lies)  perverse  things, 
to  which  every  church  is  exposed,  the  Head  of  the  church 
will  ever  preserve  you. 

"  Be  assured,  nothing  but  a  sense  of  duty  can  ever 
reconcile  my  mind  to  leaving  Philadelphia.  I  will  not, 
my  dear  people,  enlarge  on  the  importance  of  the  Colum- 
bian college,  particularly  the  theological  department,  the 
welfare  of  our  churches,  nor  mention  to  you  the  importu- 
nity expressed  by  the  trustees,  professors  and  students, 
for  my  acceptance  of  the  presidency,  and  the  sentiments 
of  some  of  our  most  judicious  ministers  and  other  brethren. 
The  institution  has,  in  Philadelphia,  been  so  immediately 
before  you,  that  on  your  judgment  here  I  may  rely  with 
safety. 

"  After  much  anxious  deliberation  and  prayer  for  divine 
assistance,  the  following  seems  to  open  before  me  as  the 
path  of  duty.  Eighteen  months  from  the  present  time, 
about  the  meeting  of  the  General  Convention  in  Washing- 
ton,  a  new  election  of  president  will  take  place.  The 
duties  of  this  office,  I  have  had  a  thought  of  discharging 
until  that  time.  This  would  afford  me  an  opportunity  of 
assisting  in  the  arrangement  of  the  college,  and  would 
enable  me  still  to  fulfil  the  duties  I  owe  to  the  affection  I 
bear  you,  and  the  relation  I  sustain.  It  would  be  neces- 
sary for  me  to  visit  Washington,  I  suspect,  only  two  or 
three  times  in  a  year,  and  that  only  for  two,  or  at  most,  for 
three  weeks  at  a  visit.  It  would  give  time  to  us  both  to 
observe  the  providence  of  God,  which  is  often  a  faithful 
interpreter  of  his  will,  and  would  afford  equal  satisfaction 
to   the  trustees  of  the  college  and  yourselves.     I  feel  the 


DR.     S  T  A  u  t;  n  T  O  N.  255 

whole  force  of  the  difficuhy  you  state  in  relation  to  our 
pecuniary  circumstances,  as  a  church  ;  but  what  can  I  say 
on  this  subject  ?  Can  T,  at  my  time  of  life,  hope  that 
another  ten  years'  labor  among  you  would  be  more  popu- 
lar, and,  of  course,  more  productive  than  the  past  ?  Exer- 
tions on  the  part  of  the  church  and  congregation,  bold, 
systematized,  and  persevering,  will  soon  diminish,  and 
ultimately  destroy  the  debt.  Without  these,  it  is  a  con- 
sideration of  inferior  moment  by  whom  our  pulpit  is  filled. 
In  every  attempt  to  accomplish  these  objects  I  shall  most 
cheerfully  unite.  Whatever  providence  may  determine, 
I  trust,  with  you,  we  shall  ever  live  in  each  other's  affec- 
tions. Wishing  you  peace,  with  love  and  faith  from 
God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  am,  dear 
brethren, 

"  Your  faithful  friend,  and  affectionate  pastor, 

W^ILLIAM  STAUGHTON. 

"  N.  B.  I  have,  as  yet,  returned  no  answer  to  the  trus- 
tees of  the  Columbian  college.  W.  S." 

Copy   of  a   letter  from    the    Trustees   of  the    Columbian 
college  to  the  Sansom-street  church. 

■"  Beloved  and  highly  respected  brethren  and  friends, 

"  It  has  to  us  been  a  circumstance  of  peculiar  gratifica- 
tion that  the  Voice  of  the  Convention,  without  a  solitary  dis- 
.sentient,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  have  determined  that  your 
worthy  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Staughton,  is  the  proper 
person  to  fill  the  presidency  of  the  Columbian  college,  in 
the  District  of  Columbia. 

"  At  the  same  time,  the  Convention  have  felt,  and  we 
participate  a  sentiment  of  sorrow  at  the  termination  of  the 
immediate  connexion  between  your  pastor  and  yourselves. 


256  M  E  ?.t  O  I  R    OF 

We  believe  that  he  has  lived  in  your  affections,  and  been 
sustained  by  your  benevolence  and  your  prayers.  We  are 
sensible,  also,  that  towards  you  he  possesses  as  sincere  and 
as  tender  an  attachment,  as  ever  glowed  in  the  pastoral 
bosom.  Separations,  under  such  circumstances,  are  pecu- 
liarly trying. 

"  We  are,  nevertheless,  assured,  from  all  we  have  known 
of  your  interesting  history,  that  you  are  among  the  readiest 
of  the  churches  to  make  a  sacrifice  of  all  you  hold  dear, 
for  the  sake  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  his  sacred  cause. 
Though  the  sphere  for  the  preaching  of  your  beloved 
pastor  will  be  less  extensive  at  this  place  than  in  Phila- 
delphia, a  sphere  of  another  kind  that  may  prove  still  more 
useful  to  the  church  at  large,  invites  his  labors.  With  re- 
gard to  the  pecuniary  affliction  under  which  your  house  of 
worship  is  laboring,  we  trust  that  the  Lord,  whom  you 
serve,  will  make  provision.  The  silver  and  the  gold  are 
his.  For  ourselves,  we  are  ready  to  assure  you,  that  for 
the  purpose  of  obtaining  your  exoneration,  we  shall  feel 
happy  in  employing  every  agency  in  our  power.  Permit 
us  to  offer  you  the  tribute  of  our  undissembled  and  most 
affectionate  consideration  and  attachment,  and  to  assure 
you  of  our  best  wishes  and  prayers,  that  among  you  the 
righteousness  of  the  Lord  may  long  continue  to  go  forth 
as  brightness,  and  his  salvation  as  a  lamp  that  burneth. 
*'  Signed  by  order  of  the  Board, 

ENOCH  REYNOLDS,  Sec'ry:' 
Washington  City,  May  15,  1823. 

The  voice  of  the  Convention,  and  his  own  convictions 
of  duty,  at  length  issued  in  the  resignation  of  his  pastoral 
charge,  and  his  removal  to  the  city  of  Washington. 


u  u.    s  T  A  i;  li  11  T  o  N.  257 

Letter  of  Resignation. 

"  May  26,  1823. 

"  To  the  Baptist  church  in  Sansom-street,  Philadelphia. 
"  Beloved  brethren, 

"The  relation  of  pastor  among  you  in  the  Lord,  it  has 
been  my  honor  and  my  happiness  for  many  years  to  have 
sustained.  Were  my  destination  at  my  own  control,  I 
would  wish  no  higlier  station  on  earth  than  to  continue 
my  labors  among  you,  and  to  live  in  the  pious  affections 
of  your  hearts.  For  your  fraternal  sympathies  under  my 
late  affliction,  I  tender  you  my  sincerest  gratitude.  While 
I  continue  lo  live,  I  shall  not  cease  to  love  you. 

"I  will  not  state  the  train  of  circumstances  (because 
you  know  the  whole)  which  inflict  on  me  the  pain  of 
telling  you,  that  at  the  beginning  of  September  next,  the 
endeared  relation  between  us,  as  shepherd  and  flock,  in 
the  providence  of  God,  must  cease.  I  know  the  difficul- 
ties of  various  kinds  under  which  you  are  distressed.  I 
wish  I  could  relieve  them  all.  My  heart  is  with  you,  and 
my  hand  prepared  to  serve  you  to  the  utmost  extent  of  my 
power ;  but  we  are  not  our  own.  At  present,  excuse  my 
adding  more,  than  that  I  am  yours  in  Christ  Jesus. 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

He  preached  his  farewell  sermon  to  the  church  from 
the  words  recorded  in  1  Peter,  v.  10.  "  The  God  of  all 
grace,  who  hath  called  us  unto  his  eternal  glory,  by  Christ 
Jesus,  after  that  ye  have  suffered  awhile,  make  you  per- 
fect, establish,  strengthen,  settle  you."  It  was  a  solemn, 
weeping  occasion.  A  gentleman  of  high  respectability 
observed,  that  it  had  been  many  years  since  a  tear  had 
fallen  from  his  eye ;  but  when  he  saw  the  church  and  con- 
gregation all  in  tears,  he  found  he  could  weep  with  those 
that  weep. 


258  M  E  IM  O  I  U      OF 


CHAPTER  XL 

Part  of  his  address  at  the  opening  of  the  Columbian  college — his 
behavior  towards  the  young  men — prosperity  of  the  college — its 
subsequent  pecuniary  distress,  and  his  difficulties  resulting  from 
this  state — resignation  of  the  presidency  and  return  to  Phila- 
delphia. 

Upon  the  duties  of  the  college,  he  entered,  with  a  de- 
cided devotion  to  its  best  interests,  and  with  his  intellec- 
tual powers  in  full  vigor.  Reference  has  been  already 
made  to  the  opening  of  this  institution,  and  the  induction 
of  the  professors.  This  event,  which  was  throughout  one 
of  great  interest  and  solemnity,  was  followed  by  an  address 
from  the  president  of  the  college,  distinguished  for  classi- 
cal purity,  learning,  and  eloquence. 

His  views  on  the  subject  of  a  public  education  are  thus 
stated  ;  "  Colleges,  under  proper  government,  are  by  no 
means  inauspicious  to  the  habits  of  virtue  ;  on  the  con- 
trary, they  contain  the  best  correctives  of  vicious  propen- 
sities. Dr.  Barrow,  whose  acuteness  of  observation  has 
been  rarely  exceeded,  and  whose  experience  as  a  pro- 
fessor was  extensive,  asserts  with  confidence,  that  he  had 
seldom  known  a  youth  deeply  involved  in  depravity  at 
schools,  who  did  not  bring  the  seeds  of  it  along  with  him. 
Desirable  as  it  may  be  thought  that  every  Telemachus 
have  a  Mentor  by  his  side,  the  voice  of  reason,  the  impulse 
of  feeling,  intimate  distinctly  that  youth  are  the  natural 
companions  of  youth.     In  public  seminaries  as  much  se- 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  259 

elusion  is  enjoined  and  practised,  as  learning  can  demand, 
or  health  can  authorize.  Siuit  up,  if  it  be  thought  best, 
the  delicate  plant  in  a  well-secured  green-house ;  but, 
remember,  the  saplings  that  are  to  become  oaks  of  Bashan 
and  cedars  of  Lebanon,  ask  for  breezes,  and  showers,  and 
sunshine.  At  public  schools  emulation  is  ever  on  the 
stretch  ;  a  generous  sense  of  honor  is  inspired ;  the 
science  of  human  nature  is,  to  a  considerable  extent, 
attained  ;  and  such  friendships,  as  is  remarked  by  Ter- 
tuUian,  are  frequently  contracted,  as  solace  and  ennoble 
the  whole  progress  of  future  existence.  It  is  not  a  truth, — 
I  appeal  to  universal  e.xperience, — that  living  a  while  in  a 
college  destroys  a  relish  for  the  endearing  attractions  of  a 
father's  dwelling.  It  is  not  an  inglorious  delight  in  indo- 
lence, but  a  well-retained  affection  for  home,  that  is  ever 
calculating  the  day  that  ushers  in  a  vacation.  I  am  satis- 
fied, from  long  observation,  that  our  young  men,  with  few 
exceptions,  leave  their  alma  mater,  not  simply  with  an 
informed  understanding,  but  with  their  manners  softened, 
and  their  hearts  improved.  Parents  are  constantly  exposed 
to  the  mistake  of  overruling  the  faculties  of  their  children. 
The  apologies  of  natural  affection  are,  indeed,  tender  and 
forcible,  but  require  to  be  admitted  with  caution.  Boys  of 
corrupt  disposition,  whether  educated  in  the  retirement  of 
a  parlor,  or  introduced  into  the  public  halls  of  science, 
will  sagaciously  find  a  model  for  themselves,  associates 
whose  inclinations  shall  coincide  with  their  own.  Other 
circumstances,  apart  from  cultivation,  distinguish  Arabia 
the  Desert  from  Arabia  the  Blest." 

The  conclusion  of  the  Address  is  among  the  finest 
specimens  of  eloquence. 

"  Among  the  numerous  considerations,  which  afford 
pleasure  to  the  patrons  of  our  college,  and  inspirit  their 
generous  hopes,   its  location   must  be  mentioned.     From 


260  MEMOIR      OF 

this  hill,  as  from  the  eminence  on  which  iEneas  stood,  the 
frequent  pupil  shall  look  down  and  exclaim, — 

'  0  fortunati !  quorum,  jam  mania  surgunt.^ 

He  will  behold  a  rising  metropolis, — not  the  city  Car- 
thage, but  the  city  Washington.  From  the  window 
of  his  study,  he  shall  look  out  and  ask, — What  spot  is 
that,  whose  trees  rise  high  above  the  surrounding  foliage? 
and  shall  learn,  it  is  Vernon,  where  Washington  lived, — 
where  Washington  sleeps.  Tully  acknowledges  the  trans- 
ports he  experienced  when  he  saw  the  laurel  grove,  where 
Plato  held  his  disputations,  and  the  porticoes  at  Athens, 
where  Socrates  taught.  But  superior  transports  shall 
swell  the  bosom  of  the  young  American,  while  he  gazes 
on  the  Mount,  where  dwelt  the  hero,  who,  with  the  eagle 
for  his  standard,  fought  the  battles  of  his  country,  achieved 
her  liberty,  illumined  her  councils:  and,  leaving  her  a 
legacy  of  paternal  advice  and  patriotic  example,  in  peace 
expired.  Imagination,  on  the  soft  breezes  of  evening, 
shall  hear  the  notes  which  the  trumpet  of  the  Genius  of 
Liberty  sounds  over  his  sepulchre ;  and  affection  shall 
exult  and  weep  for  Washington  ! 

"When  Solomon  was  anointed  to  Ihe  government  of 
Israel,  he  was  led,  at  the  command  of  his  father,  to  the 
fountain  of  Gihon.  Some  of  the  Rabbis  tell  us,  that  it  was 
common,  when  officers  were  set  apart  to  public,  or  more 
private  stations,  for  the  ceremonies  of  inauguration  to  take 
place  by  the  side  of  running  water  ;  as  if  to  express  a 
hope  that  their  services,  like  the  stream,  might  refresh, 
and  fertilize,  and  continue*.  Alas !  it  is  the  lot  of  mortals 
to  die  !  Rivers  will  pursue  their  meanders  to  the  sea, 
when  upon  us  the  night  of  death  shall  have  fallen.  Yet, 
surely,  we  may  be  permitted  to  express  our  strong  desire, 
and  reverent  supplication,  that  long  as  the  adjacent  Poto- 


D  R.      S  T  A  U  U  H  T  O  N.  2G 1 

mac  shall  flow,  this  seat  of  learning  and  virtue  may  flourish, 
a  blessing  to  the  District,  to  the  Union,  to  the  world." 

Towards  the  young  men  under  his  charge,  he  acted  the 
part  of  a  friend  and  a  father.  He  treated  them  as  young 
gentlemen,  and  never  would  he  consent  to  the  degrada- 
tion of  a  pupil  by  discipline,  till  every  possible  appeal  to 
liis  honor  proved  unavailing.  In  this  course,  he  was  sus- 
tained by  the  professors  and  tutors,  all  of  whom  were 
tender  of  the  feelings  of  their  students.  No  difficulty  of 
any  magnitude  occurred  under  his  presidency,  no  combi- 
nations were  formed  to  resist  the  government  of  the  col- 
lege. He  never  checked  with  austerity  the  cheerful 
waywardness  of  the  young  men,  but  ever  frowned  upon 
mischief  and  vice.  He  was  beloved  by  all.  His  duties 
were  laborious  and  multiplied.  Besides  his  attention  to 
classes,  he  officiated  two  sessions  in  the  capacity  of  chap- 
lain to  Congress,  being  elected  by  the  senate  to  this  sta- 
tion ;  and  besides  these  duties,  he  carried  on,  till  the 
Convention  of  1826,  the  correspondence  of  the  Board  of 
Missions. 

The  college  increased  rapidly  in  numbers  and  respecta- 
bility. The  classical  department  opened  with  thirty  stu- 
dents, in  January,  1822.  By  the  ensuing  October,  the 
number  had  increased  to  forty-six,  and,  at  the  meeting  of 
the  Convention,  in  1823,  fifty-nine  young  gentlemen  were 
pursuing  their  studies.  In  April,  of  the  year  succeeding, 
the  number  amounted  to  ninety-three.  Before  the  close 
of  another  year  the  edifice  was  crowded  with  pupils,  and 
another  building  was  contemplated. 

For  some  time  after  he  removed  to  Washington,  his 
situation  was  quite  comfortable,  but  he  was,  nevertheless, 
the  subject  of  almost  constant  depression  of  spirits.  Pro- 
bably the  death  of  his  wife,  with  the  sacrifice  of  feeling 
which  he  must,  of  necessity,  have  made  in  separating  him- 
23* 


262  MEMOIR      OF 

self  from  a  beloved  church,  and  an  overflowing  congrega- 
tion, in  Philadelphia,  contributed,  in  no  small  degree,  to 
this  depression.  On  this  subject,  writing  to  a  friend,  he 
observes,  "  I  suffer  much  from  depression  of  spirits,  and 
yet  T  have  no  real  reason  for  depression.  I  have  the  com- 
forts of  the  present  life  in  abundance,  and  in  prospect  of 
eternity, 

'  Christ  is  my  life,  my  light,  my  care. 
My  blessed  hope,  my  gloi-ious  prize.' 

"  My  general  health  is  rather  better,  I  think,  than  when 
I  was  in  Philadelphia.  I  trust  I  feel  myself  in  the  hands 
of  the  Lord,  content  that  he  do  with  me  as  seemeth  good 
in  his  sight.  Pray  for  me,  and  cherish  the  hope,  that 
before  long,  our  prayers  will  be  changed  into  everlasting 
thanksgivings." 

There  was  much  in  the  kind  attentions  of  his  friends 
to  cheer  his  heart.  Many  testimonials  of  affection  were 
received  from  his  former  charge  in  Philadelphia  ;  one  of 
which,  for  the  delicate  manner  in  which  it  was  presented, 
is  worthy  of  record.  He  was  on  a  visit  to  that  city,  as  the 
winter  of  1826  was  approaching.  One  day  there  was 
brought  to  him  an  elegant  cloth  cloak.  Attached  to  the 
fastening,  in  front  of  the  collar,  was  a  neat  silver  plate, 
bearing  the  inscription, — "  Our  father,  William  Staugh- 
ton,  D.  D."  Accompanying  the  present  was  the  follow- 
ing beautiful,  affectionate  note  : — 

"  Pkiladelphia,  Nov.  25,  1826. 
*'  Very  dear  father,  in  the  gospel  of  Jesus, 

"  From  a  conviction  of  the  spiritual  blessings  we  have 
experienced,  through  the  instrumentality  of  your  ministry, 
under  God,  we  desire  to  express,  in  some  humble  manner, 
our  affectionate  regards,  by  presenting  you  a  cloth  cloak  ; 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  263 

hoping  you  will  receive  this  as  a  token  of  our  best  wishes 
for  your  welfare  and  happiness  in  this  world,  and  in  the 
world  to  come. 

"  With  sentiments  of  Christian  affection,  we  are  your 
spiritual  sons  and  daughters  in  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  Sansom-street. 

Rev.  William  Staughton,  D.  D." 

lie  had  unbounded  confidence  in  those  who  managed 
the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  college,  and  while  the  note 
of  complaint  was  swelling  louder  and  louder,  in  different 
sections  of  the  country,  he  seemed  to  view  it  merely  as  the 
result  of  hostility  to  the  institution.  He  entered  into  their 
defence,  on  every  suitable  occasion,  with  ardor. 

In  the  summer  of  1821,  he  made  an  excursion  to  the 
North,  for  the  purpose  of  creating,  as  far  as  possible,  a 
more  favorable  impression  in  regard  to  the  infant  college. 
In  a  letter  to  one  of  his  family,  dated  W'orcester,  August 
14th,  he  writes  ;  "  I  preached  on  Friday  evening  for  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bolles ;  spent  Saturday  in  Salem,  a  hot,  op- 
pressive, close,  trying  day.  I  thought  I  was  almost  very 
sick,  but  on  Sabbath  morning  felt  vastly  better.  Preached 
morning  and  afternoon  for  Mr.  Bolles ;  in  the  afternoon 
took  up  a  collection  of  825, G4.  After  service,  Mr.  Bolles 
brought  me  in  his  chaise  to  Boston,  where  I  preached 
again,  and  took  up  a  second  collection  of  $48,00. 

"  I  had  almost  forgotten  to  say,  that  brother  Bolles  has 
done  admirably.  He  has  himself,  at  this  present  time, 
subscribed  upwards  of  three  hundred  dollars  to  the  Wash- 
ington concern.  Though  a  direct  application  has  been 
no  part  of  our  object,  we  have  raised,  on  our  present  tour, 
from  seven  to  eight  hundred  dollars." 

The  subsequent  embarrassments  of  the  college  are  well 
known.   It  is  equally  well  known,  that  pecuniary  affairs  were 


264  MEMOIR      OF 

the  least  that  ever  occupied  the  mind  of  Dr.  Staughton. 
He  appeared  to  be  entirely  satisfied  with  the  statements  of 
those  to  whom  the  management  of  the  college  was  in- 
trusted. He  was  assured,  in  his  own  mind,  that  the 
pecuniary  difficulties  of  the  college  were  trifling  :  and  he 
was  sanguine  of  its  success.  Writing  to  his  son,  in  Eu- 
rope, under  date  of  December  12,  1822,  he  observes ; 
*'  Mr.  Rice,  in  his  late  tour  to  the  North,  has  very  much 
relieved  the  affairs  of  the  college.  He  has  sold  shares  in 
a  loan,  to  the  amount  of  seven  thousand  dollars.  I  think 
he  told  me  that  one  gentleman  made  him  a  present,  for 
the  college,  of  a  thousand  dollars.  His  spirits  are  high. 
He  says,  that  he  sees  the  shore,  and  three  or  four  thousand 
dollars  more  will  land  him  safely." 

But  he  was  disappointed.  In  a  short  time,  owing  to 
the  increased  difficulties  with  which  the  institution  had 
to  contend,  his  circumstances  were  totally  changed.  He 
felt  himself,  in  numerous  instances,  personally  aggrieved, 
and  one  of  his  expressions  in  his  family,  was  a  clear  and 
forcible  exhibition  of  the  state  of  his  feelings.  He  used  to 
say,  "  /  am  familiar  with  humiliation." 

Of  his  uncomfortable  situation,  some  idea  may  be  formed 
from  the  following  lines  in  a  letter  to  his  son,  written  in 
New  York,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Convention,  in  1826. 
"  I  look  for  a  great  struggle  in  New  York,  but  I  have  the 
good  hope  that  righteousness  and  truth  will  prevail.  Per- 
haps brighter  days  are  before  us.  In  any  case,  we  are  in 
the  hands  of  a  good  God,  who  has  led  us  and  fed  us  all 
our  life  long,  and  whose  loving  kindness  and  tender 
mercies  endure  from  generation  to  generation.  He  can 
lighten  our  darkness,  and  dry  up  our  sorrows." 

His  hopes  were  considerably  brightened  by  the  addition 
of  several  distinguished  men  to  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
nominated  by  the  Convention,  in  New   York,  in  the  year 


D  K.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N. 


265 


1826.  He  thought  he  discovered  in  this  change  the  salva- 
tion of  the  college  from  ruin,  and,  in  the  commencement 
of  the  year  1827,  he  made  a  Soutliern  tour,  in  company 
with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waite,  of  the  Preparatory  department, 
to  assist  in  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  of  this  institution. 
The  following  is  a  part  of  the  journal  which  he  kept  upon 
this  tour. 

"  Jan.  29th.  Mr.  Waite  and  myself  expected  to  have 
left  Norfolk,  but  found  that  a  horse,  which  we  had  pur- 
chased, was  good  for  nothing,  and  had  to  look  out  for 
another. 

"30lh.  Procured  a  good  horse  for  a  hundred  dollars, 
and  started  for  the  South,  about  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  Travel- 
led ten  miles,  stopped  at  the  Great  Bridge,  and  staid  at 
what  is  called  Jones'  tavern. 

"  31st.  Started  at  day-break,  passed  the  beautiful  Cur- 
tuck  sound,  and  breakfasted  at  a  Caleb  Wil.-fon's,  where 
we  obtained  ten  dollars.  Went  to  what  is  called  North 
West,  stopped  and  took  some  refreshment.  Entered, 
to-day,  North  Carolina.  The  roads  very  bad, — could  get 
forward  only  twenty-five  miles.  Staid  at  a  Mr.  Williams', 
charged  nothing,  and  treated  with  great  hospitality. 

"  Feb.  1st.  Took  breakfast  at  Mr.  Isaac  Baxter's, 
Sheriff  of  Currituck  county,  a  most  pleasant  and  bounte- 
ous brother, — gave  us  five  dollars.  Arrived  this  evening 
at  Elizabeth,  and  put  up  with  a  Mr.  Mc  Morines.  Every 
thing  elegant  and  kind.  Mr.  S.  the  fafher-in-law  of  Mr. 
Mc  M.  gave  us  ten  dollars. 

"2d.  Left  Elizabeth,  and  as  the  roads  were  very  bad, 
made  only  twenty-two  miles.  Staid  at  a  ministering 
brother's,  of  the  name  of  Ross,  within  nine  miles  of 
Edenton. 

"  3d.  Reached  Edenton  about  10  o'clock,  where  we 
were  most  cordially  welcomed,   particularly  by  Mr.  Mere- 


266  MEMOIR      OF 

dith,  and  Dr.  Collens  Skinner.  I  made  my  home  with  the 
former,  Mr.  Waite  with  the  latter.  Preached  this  evening 
at  the  Baptist  meeting-house,  a  neat  building.  Assembly 
crowded. 

"  4th.  Preached,  morning,  for  the  Baptists, — afternoon, 
for  the  Methodists.  Evening,  for  the  Baptists,  and  took  a 
collection  of  fourteen  dollars.  Obtained  here  for  the  col- 
lege about  seventy  dollars,  and  was  offered  fifty  more,  if  I 
would  stay  another  Sabbath  ;  but  the  season  is  advancing, 
and  I  thought  it  best  to  proceed.  I  shall  never  forget  the 
kindness  of  the  Edenton  friends. 

"  5th  and  6th.  Spent  both  days  in  visiting  and  obtain- 
ing what  subscriptions  we  could. 

"  7th.  Left  Edenton, — furnished  by  Mrs.  Skinner  with 
ham,  tongue,  cake,  wine,  &/C.  which  we  found  very  ac- 
ceptable, as  there  is  scarcely  a  tavern  on  the  road.  Pine 
trees,  swamps,  miserable  bridges,  wretched  huts,  a  few 
solitary  ox-carts,  and  a  few  wandering  negroes,  mark  all 
our  road.  This  day  we  crossed  the  Albemarle  sound,  a 
distance  of  twelve  miles, — a  distance  of  twelve  miles  !  I 
dreaded  this  sound.  Three  weeks  before,  an  Italian  mu- 
sician had  been  drowned,  and  three  days  before,  an  old 
Baptist  minister,  who  was  one  of  the  great  enemies  of 
missions,  colleges,  bible  societies,  &c.  &c.  This  night 
reached  Plymouth,  nine  miles  from  the  sound.  I  preached 
in  the  evening  at  the  court-house. 

"8th.  Left  Plymouth,  and  arrived  at  Washington,  thirty- 
three  miles,  too  late  for  preaching.  Staid  at  Le  Roy's 
tavern. 

"  9th.  Started  for  Newbern,  thirty-five  miles.  At  half 
past  six  arrived  at  brother  Hancock's.  Received  with 
elegance  and  ease.     Here  we  have  since  continued. 

"  10th.  Became  acquainted  with   a  Mr.  Hatch,  a  Pres- 


D  K.      S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  267 

byterian  brother,  one  of  the  loveliest  of  men.  Preached 
in  the  evening. 

"  11th.  Preached  three  times.  Morning,  for  the  Bap- 
tists,— they  have  a  good,  but  small  and  inconveniently 
located  meeting-house.  Afternoon,  for  the  Presbyterians, 
— a  splendid  house,  with  a  lofty  spire  and  large  bell, 
ravening,  at  the  Baptist  meeting-house,  and  made  a  collec- 
tion of  $24,73. 

"  r2th.  Visits  almost  all  the  day, — obtained  about  thirty 
dollars.  Preached  this  evening  at  the  Presbyterian 
meeting-house, — made  a  collection.  I  have  not  yet  heard 
the  amount,  but  suspect  it  not  less  than  forty-five  or  fifty 
dollars. 

"  l*3th.  My  health  has,  for  the  most  part,  been  very 
good,  but  I  had  a  very  poor  night  last  night,  and  am  to- 
day, very  much  afflicted  with  a  severe  cold,  fever,  and 
head-ache ;  for  my  strength,  I  have  labored  too  much. 
The  congregations  are  crowded,  and  I  have  exerted  my- 
self, perhaps,  imprudently.  To-morrow,  we  expect  to  start 
for  Wilmington,  where  we  hope  to  spend  the  next  Lord's 
day,  a  dismal,  sandy,  swampy  road,  we  are  told,  of  ninety- 
three  miles;  thence  to  Georgetown,  S.  C,  ninety-three 
miles  more,  on  roads  of  the  same  forbidding  description. 
May  a  kind  Providence  still  go  before  us." 

When  he  arrived  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  he  continued  to 
prosecute  his  work  in  behalf  of  the  college,  until  he  re- 
ceived information  from  Washington,  that  Judge  Mc  Lean, 
and  other  distinguished  members  of  the  Board  had  re- 
signed their  office.  A  few  letters  are  inserted,  in  this  con- 
nexion, to  show  the  deep  interest  which  he  felt  in  thq 
prosperity  of  the  Columbian  college, 


268  M  E  RI  O  I  U      OK 

«  Charleston,  March  12,  1827. 
"  My  dear  son, 

"  More  than  a  week  has  elapsed  since  you  cheered  me 
with  the  expectation,  that  I  should  receive  a  line  from  you 
by  the  next  mail.  I  will  not  indulge  the  apprehension 
that  you  are  sick,  confident,  if  you  were,  that  Louisa 
would  have  written  me.  I  know  your  punctuality,  and 
can  ascribe  my  disappointment  only  to  some  unaccount- 
able deficiency  in  the  mail. 

"  Before  attempting  subscriptions  and  collections  here, 
my  friends  have  advised  me  to  make  myself  known,  with  a 
view  of  diminishing  aversions  to  the  college,  and  imparting 
some  good  feelings,  by  visits  and  my  preaching.  This,  I 
have  attempted.  I  have  preached  four  times  already  in 
the  Baptist  church,  and  three  times  yesterday  in  Presby- 
terian churches.  Last  evening  the  congregation  in  the 
circular  church  was  immense.  One  hundred  and  seventy 
dollars  were  collected  for  the  "  Charleston  Port  Society." 
To-morrow  evening,  I  expect  to  lay  before  the  citizens  of 
Charleston,  in  the  Baptist  church,  a  statement  of  the  col- 
lege concerns,  and  the  object  of  my  visit.  The  next 
morning,  I  expect  to  commence  a  course  of  personal  calls. 
My  friends  encourage  me  to  believe  that  I  shall  accom- 
plish something  handsome  in  Charleston.  My  own  hopes 
are  rather  low.  I  will,  however,  do  what  I  can,  and  I  can 
do  no  more. 

"  Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

"  Charleston,  March  12,  1827. 
"  My  dear  son, 

"  I  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  of  the  7th 
instant.  My  heart  is  shocked  at  the  resignation  of  our 
best  men,  and  our  best  friends.     T  scarcely  know   what 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  269 

to  do.  My  letter,  which  accompanies  this,  will  tell  you 
the  plan  I  am  pursuing  as  to  Charleston.  Wliat  shall  I 
say  to-morrow  evening  to  the  assembled  citizens  ?  Alas  ! 
what  can  I  say  !  I  propose  a  meeting  of  the  best  friends 
of  the  college  in  this  place,  a  private  meeting,  to-morrow 
morning  at  10  o'clock.  I  will  listen  to  their  counsel,  and 
if  I  can  approve,  follow  it. 

"  I  shall  write  the  Post-]\Iaster-General  to-morrow.  I 
think  of  putting  off  my  announcement  until  I  can  again 
hear  from  Washington.  Well,  my  dear  child,  we  arc  in 
very  deep  waters,  but  let  us  not  despair.  Lord  Bacon,  in 
distress,  was  told,  '  Sir,  it  is  time  to  look  about  you.' 
'  O,  no,'  said  he,  *  it  is  time  to  look  above  me.'  May  the 
God  of  mercy  appear !  You  will,  most  probably,  hear 
again  to-morrow  from 

"  Your  ever  affectionate  father, 

WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

"  Charleston,  March  14,  1827. 
"  My  beloved  James, 

"  I  wrote  to  the  Post-Master-General  yesterday,  and 
requested  him  to  have  the  goodness  to  show  you  my  letter. 
This,  I  presume,  he  has  done.  I  never  was  more  em- 
barrassed than  at  the  present  moment.  Last  evening  I 
had  a  large  assembly  of  the  citizens  of  Charleston,  in  the 
Baptist  church,  expecting  to  hear  from  me  the  object  of 
my  visit.  They  appeared  ready  to  serve  me  in  any  thing. 
But  what  could  I  say  to  them  ?  The  advice  of  my  best 
friends  here  urges  me  to  wait  until  I  can  hear  more  from 
Washington. 

"  At  this  juncture,  for  as  I  am  from  the  scene  of  action, 

every  line  that  can   be  written  me  is   a  treasure  !     The 

constant  cry  among  the  friends  of  the  college  is,  '  Doctor, 

any  news   from   Washington  to-day  ? '      I    have  too  fre- 

24 


270  MEMOIR     OF 

quently  to  answer,  *  None.'  I  think  I  can  say,  '  In  the 
Lord  do  T  put  my  trust !  Why  say  ye  (ye  enemies  of  righ- 
teousness) flee  as  a  bird  to  your  mountain.' 

"  In  storm  or  in  sunshine,  your  affectionate  father, 
WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

•"  Charleston,  March  22,  1827. 
"  My  dearest  James, 

"  I  have  just  received  your  two  letters  of  the  16th.  I 
thank  you  for  them  ten  thousand,  thousand  times.  I  have 
only  had  time  to  run  over  them  very  hastily.  I  shall  read 
them  as  attentively  as  I  can.  It  is  probable,  I  shall  im- 
mediately send  in  my  resignation.  I  wish  to  act  with  that 
circumspection  that  no  enemy  of  righteousness  may  take 
advantage. 

"  Do  forgive  me,  my  dear  child,  if  I  have  been  too  im- 
portunate. My  importunity  has  been  the  effervescence 
of  the  severest  mental  affliction.  God  only  knows  what  I 
have  suffered  since  I  have  been  in  Charleston.  I  cannot 
write  more  now. 

"  For  ever  and  ever,  your  affectionate  father, 
WILLIAM  STAUGHTON." 

Resolved  never  again  to  subject  himself  to  his  former 
trials  and  distresses,  to  the  great  joy  of  his  family,  he  re- 
signed a  situation,  which,  they  had  long  been  convinced, 
could  only  render  him  unhappy. 

The  result  of  his  resignation  was  the  temporary  break- 
ing up  of  the  college  ;  for  the  other  officers  soon  after 
resigned,  and  the  students,  almost  in  mass,  returned 
to  their  homes.  Looking  at  the  consequences  of  this 
step,  partially,  it  has  probably  been  deemed  by  many 
an  injudicious  one.  There  is  reason,  however,  to  be- 
lieve,  that  but   for   this   shock,   or    something   of  equal 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  271 

magnitude,  it  never  would  have  recovered.  The  denomi- 
nation was  aroused  by  it  to  vigorous  action,  the  interests 
of  the  college  were  placed  under  the  control  of  other  men, 
and  that  course  was  pursued  at  last,  which  ought  to  have 
been  pursued  before  ;  and  had  it  been  carried  out  before, 
Dr.  Staughton  would  not  have  resigned  his  situation.  By 
the  united  voice  of  the  Baptists  he  was  called  to  that  sta- 
tion, and  by  their  united  voice  justice  required  that  he 
should  be  made  comfortable.  He  sacrificed  much  to  leave 
a  large,  affectionate  church,  and  an  overflowing  congrega- 
tion — he  sacrificed  his  own  feelings  to  their  wishes,  ar.d 
he  relinquished  his  post  only  when  he  felt  that  to  remain 
any  longer  would  imbitter  his  own  existence,  and  bring 
no  relief  to  the  college. 

He  remained  in  the  South  about  five  weeks  after  his 
resignation,  and  collected  considerable  for  the  Burman 
mission.  From  Savannah  he  wrote  to  his  daughter-in-law, 
Mrs.  Staughton,  a  description  of 

A  Southern  Spring. 

"  'Tis  Spring  !  and  the  softer  sun  opens  the  day, 
The  clouds,  finely  mellow'd,  bright  floating  are  seen, 
The  careless  young  7,cpl)3'rs  their  visit  repay. 
And  earth  has  thrown  round  her,  her  garment  of  green. 

"  'T  is  Spring  !  the  chaste  snow-drop  shrinks  fearful  no  more. 

The  rose  and  the  shrub,  sweetly  scented,  appear; 

The  mocking  and  red-bird  their  minstrelsy  pour. 

And  the  swain  follows,  chanting,  tlie  plough-loving  steer. 

"  'T  is  Spring  !  and  with  blossoms  the  fruit  trees  are  dress'd, 

The  gardens,  like  Eden,  their  odors  diffuse; 

The  dove  and  the  linnet  are  building  the  nest, 

As  the  leaflets  throw  open  their  charms  to  the  dews. 

"  'T  is  Spring  !  and,  Louisa,  with  thee  it  is  Spring, 
Long,  long  may  thy  beauty  and  transports  remain  ; 


272  MEMOIR      OF 

But  hours,  the  most  vernal,  are  still  on  the  wing, 
And  the  snows  of  December  are  found  in  their  train. 

"  'Tis  Spring- !  and  the  gospel  is  lifting  its  voice, 
The  nations  all  hail  the  acceptable  day  ; 
The  hills  and  the  heav'ns,  with  new  glories  rejoice, 
And  pilgrims  to  bliss  are  pursuing  their  way. 

"  O  yes,  there  's  a  Spring,  ever  fresh  in  the  skies, 
Where  streams  ever  flow,  ever  flourish  the  flow'rs  ; 
Where  from  seraph  and  saint  the  loud  anthems  arise  — 
May  that  blessed  clime,  dear  Louisa,  be  ours. 

"  Savannah,  April  14,  1827." 

Shortly  after  his  resignation  he  returned  to  visit  his 
children.  On  his  passage  from  Charleston  to  Philadelphia, 
he  kept  a  diary,  but,  with  the  exception  of  one  page,  it  is 
all  lost.  The  passage  was  exceedingly  tedious  and  dan- 
gerous. We  insert  the  notes  of  two  days,  after  they  had 
been  five  days  at  sea. 

"  April  30th.  Saw  several  vessels,  one  from  New  Or- 
leans fifteen  days.  Took  a  pilot  on  board  fifty  miles  from 
shore.  Strong  north-west  head  wind.  Saw  Henlopen 
light-house. 

"  May  1st.  Head  wind  continued,  dreadful  tossing.  In 
the  afternoon  a  gale  sprung  up,  and  we  dropped  anchor. 
The  gale  increased,  with  hail-storm.  The  anchor  parted, 
and  we  were  driven  out  to  sea.  I  longed  much  to  see  my 
children,  but  all  is  well." 

On  this  page  is  a  short  poetic  effusion,  which  appears  to 
have  been  written  on  board  the  ship.     It  has  no  date. 

"The  sun  has  just  sunk  in  the  orange  of  sky, 

The  ocean's  green  surface  is  smooth. 

The  sea-bird  has  uttered  her  evening  cry, 

And  Nature's  soft  images  soothe  :  — 

And  yet  the  tir'd  mariner  asks,  on  his  knees, 

That  the  deep  would  her  trouble  renew, 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  U  T  O  N.  273 

That  the  sky  would  commission  a  southerly  breeze, 

And  bring  a  lov'd  city  to  view. 

Still,  Patience,  we  bow  to  thy  heart-cheering  sway, 

And  give  to  tlie  calm  all  our  sorrow, 

If  the  vision  of  home  should  descend  not  to-day, 

Perhaps  we  shall  see  her  to-morrow," 

His  mind  was  mucli  perplexed  upon  his  return,  as  to  the 
path  of  duty.  The  minority  of  the  First  Baptist  Church 
of  Philadelphia,  who  claimed  to  be  the  frst  church,  were, 
at  this  time,  in  litigation  with  the  body  meeting  in  Second 
Street.  The  members  seemed  to  regard  the  Doctor's  re- 
signation of  the  Presidency  of  Columbian  College,  as  favor- 
able to  their  interests,  and  they  accordingly  invited  him  to 
supply  their  pulpit.  He  preached  to  them  for  some  time, 
with  his  former  vigor,  and,  as  formerly,  attracted  large 
assemblies.  But  he  did  not  feel  comfortable  in  the  cir- 
cumstance of  being  a  mere  supply.  In  his  situation,  and 
at  his  lime  of  life,  he  saw  the  importance  of  having  a 
permanent  settlement,  in  some  desirable  station,  and  that 
without  delay.  He  received  .several  calls  to  the  pastorship 
of  churches,  but  these  did  not  exactly  meet  his  views. 
His  feelings  on  this  subject  are  partially  expressed  in  the 
following  extract  from  a  letter,  dated  May  18th,  18-28. 

"  I  spoke  yesterday,  with  much  freedom,  from  the  forty- 
second  Psalm.  It  is  rather  singular,  but  it  is  a  fact,  I  have 
not  had  an  unpleasant  season,  in  preaching,  since  I  re- 
turned to  Philadelphia. 

"  Two  of  the  members  (deacons  of  the  church)  called 
on  me  on  Monday  last  to  state,  that  at  a  recent  church 
meeting  the  question  of  my  call  to  the  pastorship  was  awi- 
tated.  They  stated  they  had  not  the  least  doubt  that  I 
should  be  elected ;  but  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  their 
attornies,  that  as  the  case  had  come  into  law,  no  change 
ought  to  take  place  until  the  law  had  decided.  They  hoped 
24* 


274  M  E  M  O  I  R      O  F 

that  next  December  every  thing  would  be  settled  ;  but  sug- 
gested that  the  opposite  party  might  possibly  contrive  to 
have  it  put  off  for  a  much  longer  time.  Such  is  my  present 
standing.  Whether  to  continue  in  it  or  not,  is  to  me  a 
subject  of  some  embarrassment.  I  trust  the  Lord  will  be 
my  guide.  In  the  Psalm  which  I  have  mentioned,  I  was 
much  struck  with  the  words,  '  When  I  remember  these 
things,  I  pour  out  my  soul  in  me.'  Depend  upon  it,  my 
dear  child,  this  is  the  very  worst  way  of  managing  our  sor- 
sows.  Pouring  out  our  souls  i?i  us  is  merely  rendering 
affliction  more  severe.  O  may  we  be  enabled  to  j)our  out 
our  souls  unto  the  Lord,  who  will  strengthen,  help,  and 
bless  us." 

In  another  letter,  dated  December  2d,  1828,  he  writes: 
"  I  cannot  as  yet  distinctly  discover  the  course  which  I 
ought  to  pursue  in  relation  to  the  church  which  I  am  serv- 
ing. A  few  days  will  throw  light  upon  the  subject,  when 
I  hope  to  be  able  to  write  you." 

It  became  at  length  his  settled  conviction,  that  he  could 
be  more  useful  in  some  other  sphere,  and  on  the  3d  of 
April,  1829,  he  resigned  his  connexion. 

A  few  months  previously  to  this  event,  he  was  deprived 
by  death  of  an  amiable  and  valued  nephew.  He  had 
gone  to  the  North,  for  the  recovery  of  his  health,  which 
was  exceedingly  impaired,  but  was  never  permitted  to  re- 
turn to  the  maternal  mansion.  He  died  in  Boston,  and, 
during  the  illness  which  terminated  his  life,  was  most  ten- 
derly nursed  by  some  of  the  friends  of  the  family  to  whom 
he  was  introduced. 

The  following  letters  from  his  affectionate  uncle,  will 
be  read  with  pleasure  and  profit. 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  n  T  O  N.  275 

"  Philadclpliia,  September  14,  1828. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  At  the  request  of  our  wliole  family,  and  particularly  of 
my  afflicted  sister,  Mrs.  Wythe,  I  write  you  a  line  to  express 
our  gratitude.  I  can  assure  you,  it  is  very  deep-felt  grati- 
tude, for  the  attentions,  yourself,  your  invaluable  daugh- 
ters, and  your  whole  household  paid  my  deceased  nephew, 
during  his  affliction,  and  at  the  approach  of  his  departure 
lience.  May  the  God  of  the  widow  recompense  you  ten 
thousand  fold  !  I  have  no  doubt  he  will  do  this.  Kind- 
ness to  the  afflicted  is  bread  cast  upon  the  waters.  The 
Saviour  claims  the  kindness,  as  extended  to  himself  '  Ye 
did  it  unto  me.' 

"  The  poor  mother  has  borne  up  under  the  trial  beyond 
my  expectation.  She  has  found  grace  equal  to  her  day, 
and  though  time  is  necessary  to  diminish  the  effervescence 
of  her  distress,  she  has  exhibited  that  holy  resignation 
which  has  constrained  every  pious  observer  to  say,  '  Here 
is  the  patience  and  the  faith  of  the  saints.'  It  has  been 
peculiarly  supporting  to  her,  that  a  gracious  providence 
raised  up  for  the  dear  deceased,  friends  so  kind,  when  far 
distant  from  his  native  home. 

"  The  providence  is  truly  mysterious  which  bears  from  a 
mother  an  only  son,  and  she  a  widow,  but,  unquestionably, 
the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  right.  We  are  permitted  to  dis- 
cover the  paths  of  infinite  wisdom,  but  not  to  comprehend 
divine  designs.  We  have  many  reasons  to  justify  the  belief 
that  Sutton  expired  a  sincere  Christian,  and  that  he  shall 
come, 

'  Out  of  his  grave,  fresh  as  the  dawning  light.' 

"  An  account  of  the  expenses  attendant  on  the  inter- 
ment, you  will  have  the  goodness  to  transmit.  The  amount 
shall  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  possible,  with  many  renewed 


276  MEMOIR      OF 

thanks.  I  pray  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  may  long  and 
largely  rest  on  you  and  yours.  O  that  it  may  be  our  mercy 
to  stand  with  girded  loins  and  burning  lamps,  that,  at  what 
hour  soever  the  Son  of  Man  shall  come,  we  may  have  our 
pinions  prepared,  to  fly  away  to  the  land  where  there  is  no 
death. 

"  My  sister  and  family  tender  you  our  respectful  and 
affectionate  remembrances. 

"  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  obliged  and  respectful  friend, 

WJM.  STAUGHTON. 

"  S.  M.  Philips,  Esq." 

"  PMladclpliia,  Sept.  22,  1828. 
"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  The  kind  letters  you  forwarded  to  my  sister,  at  the 
time  when  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  heavy  upon  her,  we 
have  received.  They  were  balm  to  her  wounded  spirit.  I 
trust  the  Lord  will  abundantly  compensate  you  for  your 
humane  and  pious  endeavors  to  mitigate  the  affliction, 
which  only  the  Hand  that  has  smitten  can  entirely  assuage. 
Perhaps  the  tide  will  never  wholly  subside,  until  the  mother 
shall  reach  the  land  where  there  is  no  more  sorrow,  and 
when  she  shall  see  the  dear  departed, 

'  High  in  salvation  and  the  climes  of  bliss.' 

"  The  support  which  she  has  enjoyed  has  transcended 
my  highest  expectations.  She  had  learned  to  lean  on  an 
everlasting  arm,  and  that  arm  has  been  her  strength  and 
stay.  Sutton  was  so  amiable  a  youth  that  he  secured  to 
himself  not  only  the  best  affections  of  all  his  relatives,  but 
also  of  all  who  knew  him.  Unassuming  in  his  manners, 
virtuous  in  all  his  habits,  unusually  skillful  in  the  busi- 
ness he  had  acquired,  and  possessed  of  an  integrity  as 
injlexihle  as  his  heart  was  gentle,  he  promised  to  become 
an  ornament  to  society  ;  and  more  especially  to  be  the  prop 


DR.      S  T  A  U  C  II  T  O  .V.  277 

of  his  mother  in  life's  decline  ;  but  infinite  mercy  and  wis- 
dom have  frustrated  human  calculation,  and  taught  us, 
that 

'  Tlie  brightest  things  below  the  skies, 

Give  but  a  flattering  light.' 

"  It  is  a  great  comfort  to  his  mother  to  know,  that  the 
eye  and  hand  of  friendship  soothed  his  declining  days. 
Her  own  presence  could  scarcely  have  contributed  more 
to  the  calming  of  his  bosom,  so  much  are  the  strokes  of  the 
Lord  softened  by  his  gentle  Providence,  and  so  true  is  it, 
that  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel  stands  prepared  to  sympathize 
and  console  where  distress  presents  itself.  Like  its  author, 
it  is  '  acquainted  with  grief.' 

"  The  articles  your  goodness  for\yarded  have  been  re- 
ceived. Should  it  ever  be  in  my  power,  or,  in  the  power 
of  any  of  the  family,  to  render  offices  of  kindness  at  any 
time  to  you  or  yours,  it  will  furnish  the  highest  gratifi- 
cation. 

"  My  sister  and  her  daughter  unite  in  sentiments  of 
grateful  esteem. 

"  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  obedient  friend  and  servant, 

WM.  STAUGHTON. 

"  F.  MOSELY,  Esq." 

To  ilfr.  John  Wilson. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  had  heard  from  several  sources,  but  more  especially 
through  the  channel  of  our  mutual  friend,  Mr.  Sharp,  of 
the  kindness  you  showed  to  my  beloved  nephew,  while  he 
was  yet  a  sufferer  in  this  valley  of  tears,  and  to  his  remains, 
when  it  was  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  to  send  down  his 
chariot,  and  convey  him  hence. 

"  His  poor  mother  and  sister,  with  all  the  family,  unite 
in  testimonies  of  the  most  lively  gratitude,   and  in  the 


278  MEMOIR     OF 

praj^er  and  assurance,  that  the  God  of  mercy  will  afford 
you  an  ample  recompense.  He  was,  indeed,  a  youth  whom 
all  might  love.  Such  was  the  gentleness  of  his  manners, 
such  his  steadiness  in  business,  such  the  mild  intelligence 
of  his  countenance,  such  his  habitual  bias  for  the  house  of 
God,  and  for  sacred  things,  that  he  was  not  more  the 
hope  of  his  widowed  mother,  than  he  was  the  pride  of  all 
his  connexions.  His  heart  was  affectionate,  and  his  morals 
unsullied.  But,  alas  !  the  most  promising  flowers  often 
fade  before  the  sun,  which  produced  them  !  Some  unseen 
worm  lurks  in  the  blossom,  and  destroys  the  anticipations 
that  were  created.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you,  that  my 
sister  has  been  supported  beyond  our  expectations.  She 
has  distinctly  seen  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  this  visitation, 
and  has  been  enabled  to  say, 

'  Still  as  tliou  smitest,  smile,  and  then  smite  on.' 

"  Oh  how  valuable  that  religion,  which  can  sustain  the 
soul,  when  the  fig-tree  forbears  to  blossom,  and  when  the 
vine  is  wasted.  The  Gospel  is  a  system,  above  all  others, 
calculated  for  wiping  away  the  tears  of  sorrow. 

'■  We  regard  it  as  an  act  of  kindness,  for  which  we  want 
language  to  thank  you,  that  you  solicited  his  interment  in 
your  family  vault.  It  is  the  wish  of  our  hearts  that  every 
guest  that  vault  contains,  and  that  may  be  deposited  there, 
when  the  last  trump  shall  sound,  may  come  forth  fashioned 
like  unto  the  glorious  body  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  May 
his  gracious  eye  watch  all  the  dust  till  he  shall  bid  it  rise. 

"  Should  it  at  any  time  be  in  our  power  to  testify  our 
feelings  by  any  acts  of  kindness,  to  yourself  or  to  any  of 
the  family,  it  will  impart  the  highest  gratification. 

"JMy  sister  and  her  daughter  unite  with  us  all,  in  senti- 
ments of  the  most  grateful  esteem. 

''  I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  most  truly, 

WM.  STAUGHTON." 


DR.    S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  279 

About  this  time  lie  wrote  to  his  son  in  Washington,  as 
follows  :  '  I  went  to  the  House  of  Refuge,  and  preached 
there.  It  was  to  me  a  most  affecting  scene.  Thirty  boys, 
eleven  girls,  all  culprits,  separated  from  accomplished  vil- 
lains, and  weeping  under  the  word  of  life.  I  spoke  with 
the  greatest  pleasure  from  Psalm  34th.  '  Hearken  unto 
me,  ye  children,  I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord.' 
It  was  a  very  melting  season.  The  boys  were  dressed 
very  neatly,  and  the  girls  almost  elegantly.  You  would 
scarcely  have  supposed  it  a  prison.  Afternoon  and  even- 
ing, I  preached  at  the  academy.  Evening  very  crowded. 
Text,  Heb.  xi.  1. 

'•  Many  a  sermon  have  I  preach'd. 
And  exhortation  given  ; 
Yet  earth  no  recompense  has  reach'd, 
But  wliispered,  wait  for  heaven." 

He  is  now,  we  trust,  safely  beyond  the  influence  of  hu- 
man caprice  and  mutation. 


280  MEMOIR      OF 


CHAPTER   XII. 

His  appointment  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Georgetown  Literary  and 
Theological  Institution — its  influence  upon  that  place — his  mar- 
riage— removal  from  Philadelphia,  and  decease,  at  the  city  of 
Washington — Letters  of  condolence. 

For  a  short  time  Dr.  Staugliton  preached  to  the  church, 
meeting  in  New  Market-street,  Philadelphia,  and  they  were 
upon  the  eve  of  giving  him  a  call  to  the  pastorship,  when 
his  attention  was  directed  to  another  section  of  the  Union. 

The  Baptists  in  the  State  of  Kentucky  had,  previously 
to  this  time,  originated  a  Literary  and  Theological  Institu- 
tion, to  be  located  in  Georgetown.  It  was  well  endowed, 
sustained  by  some  of  the  ablest  men  in  the  State,  and 
nothing  appeared  to  be  wanting,  to  raise  it  at  once  to  the 
highest  standing,  but  the  talents,  address,  and  influence  of 
such  a  man  as  Dr.  Staugliton.  On  him,  therefore,  the 
trustees  fixed  their  hopes. 

A  correspondence  was  opened  with  him  upon  the  sub- 
ject, as  early  as  the  month  of  July,  1829,  through  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Noel  of  Kentucky. 

"  Franlfort,  Ky.  July,  1829. 
"  Brother  Staughton, 

"  For  several  years  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  a  line 
from  you.  I  now  address  you  with  some  hope  of  moving 
you  to  Kentucky.  May  I  be  allowed  to  name  you  to  our 
Board,  as  president  of  a  Baptist  college  in  Georgetown, 
Kentucky  ?    The  prospects  are  these.    The  people  of  Scott 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  281 

county  have  secured  to  the  Board  20,000  dollars,  and  the 
county  academy,  &-c.  worth  5000  dollars,  for  this  purpose, 
now  on  interest.  We  have  the  promise  of  25,000  dollars 
from  an  individual,  to  improve  our  ministry,  about  half 
already  in  hand.  With  this  beginning  can  you  venture  to 
come  to  Kentucky,  to  aid  in  rearing  a  college,  in  connexion 
with  this  Corporation  ?  " 

About  a  month  after  this,  he  wrote  upon  the  subject  to 
his  son  in  Washington,  expressing  his  feelings,  in  which 
separation  from  his  children  seemed  to  lay  most  heavy  on 
his  heart. 

''  Philadclpliia,  Ang.  11,  1829. 
"  My  dear  James, 

"  I  have  been  waiting  for  some  time  with  much  anxiety 
for  an  opening  in  the  providence  of  God,  where  I  might, 
for  the  few  remaining  days  of  my  existence,  find  a  home. 
Two  have  offered.  I  wrote  you  last  evening  on  the  sub- 
ject by  the  Rev.  Mr.  H ,  who  promised  to  deliver  my 

letter  as  soon  as  possible.  One  of  the  openings  is  the  New 
Market-street  church  in  this  city.  The  other  is  a  call  to 
the  presidency  of  a  college,  forming  at  Georgetown,  Ky. 
On  this  subject  Mr.  H.'s  packet  will  communicate  all  the 
particulars  I  know  at  present.  JMy  mind  is  much  divided. 
The  idea  of  seven  or  eight  hundred  miles  distance  from 
all  of  you,  and  my  beloved  grand-children,  is  to  my  mind 
almost  intolerable.  Contemplated  and  forming  rail-roads 
may  lessen  the  evil,  but  the  evil  still  strikes  me  as  fearful." 

On  the   14th  of  August,   1829,  after  much  conflict  of 
mind,  he  signified  to   Dr.  Noel  his  willingness  to  embark 
in  this  new  field,  and  shortly  after  received  the   following 
letter,  announcing  his  election  to  the  presidency. 
25 


282  RIEMOIROF 

"Frankfort,  Ky.  Sept.  4,  1829. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Kentucky  Baptist  Education  So- 
ciety, held  at  Georgetown,  on  Tuesday  last,  by  the  unani- 
mous vote  of  the  trustees,  you  were  elected  president  of 
their  Literary  Institution,  established  in  that  town.  The 
society  is  disposed  to  make  your  salary  entirely  satisfactory 
to  yourself  They  earnestly  desire  to  see  you,  at  their  ap- 
proaching semi-annual  meeting,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
November  next,  in  Georgetown. 

"  Please  favor  me  with  an  early  reply. 

"  Very  affectionately  yours, 

S.  M.  NOEL,  President." 

In  another  letter  from  the  same  hand,  it  will  be  per- 
ceived how  much  the  infant  institution,  in  the  view  of  its 
friends,  depended  upon  the  influence  which  he  was  capable 
of  exerting. 

"  As  the  rearing  of  this  college  is  likely  to  devolve 
chiefly  on  yourself,  allow  me  to  advise,  that  you  devote  the 
next  winter  to  travelling  through  Kentucky,  Tennessee, 
Mississippi,  Alabama,  and  Louisiana,  to  awaken  the  public 
attention,  and  particularly  that  of  our  brethren,  on  the 
subject  of  education,  as  well  as  religion.  If  necessary,  I 
may  go  with  you.  The  Board  will  be  disposed  to  be  coun- 
selled by  you  in  the  entire  organization.  Apprize  me  as 
soon  as  practicable,  when  you  may  be  expected. 

"  Yours  truly, 

S.  M.  NOEL." 

"Philadelphia,  Sept.  19,  1829. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Your  favor  of  the  4th  instant,  announcing  ray  election 
to  the  presidency,  about  to  be  established  at  Georgetown, 


DR.      S  T  A  C  G  II  T  O  N. 


283 


Ky.  I  have  received.  In  the  foar  of  the  Lord,  and  humbly 
imploring  his  gracious  assistance,  I  solemnly  accept  it. 
From  all  I  know  of  the  character  of  the  trustees,  I  can 
have  no  hesitancy  in  relying  on  their  firm  support,  and  in 
anticipating  their  Christian  affection.  I  beg  of  them  to  be 
assured  that  whatever  contributory  hints  I  may  be  able  to 
suggest,  in  reference  to  the  organization  of  the  institution, 
and  what  services  soever  I  can  render  for  the  promotion 
of  sound  learning  and  evangelical  truth,  shall  be  entirely  at 
their  command.  The  training  of  pious  youths,  approved  by 
the  churches,  for  the  labors  of  the  pulpit,  has  long  been 
my  element  and  joy.  I  will  try,  if  practicable,  to  be  pres- 
ent at  your  semi-annual  meeting,  if  not,  as  soon  as  I  can 
after  it. 

"  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  brother  and  friend, 

WM.  STAUGHTON. 
S.  M.  Noel,  D.  D.  Pres.  of  the 
Krntuchy  Bap.  Ed.  Society." 

When  his  acceptance  of  the  presidency  was  made  known 
at  Georgetown,  it  threw  new  life  into  the  place. 

Dr.  Noel,  in  a  letter  to  the  editor,  observes  : 

"  I  never  had  the  pleasure  of  a  personal  acquaintance 
with  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Staughton.  I  have  been  taught,  even 
from  my  boyhood,  by  my  father  (the  late  Rev.  Theodorick 
Noel,  of  Essex,  Virginia,)  and  others  who  knew  him  well, 
suitably  to  appreciate  his  standing  as  a  Gospel  minister. 

"  When  the  trustees  of  the  Kentucky  Baptist  Education 
Society,  were  looking  about  for  the  most  eminent  scholar 
and  divine  of  the  Baptist  denomination  to  preside  over  the 
destinies  of  the  Georgetown  college,  Dr.  Staughton  was  se- 
lected.. When  his  acceptance  was  .announced,  public  expec- 
tation rose  high,  the  friends  of  the  college  could  no  longer 
feel  themselves  in  the  shade  of  the  older  institutions.     But 


284  MEMOIR      OF 

the  tidings  of  his  death  were  most  appalling.  To  this  mo- 
ment v/e  labor  under  the  unhappy  consequences  of  that 
most  unpropitious  bereavement." 

Another  very  important  change  vv^as  about  this  time 
made  in  his  life.  He  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  27th 
of  August,  1829,  to  Miss  Anna  C.  Peale,  daughter  of  James 
Peale,  Esq.  of  Philadelphia. 

On  the  20th  of  October,  1829,  he  left  Philadelphia,  for 
the  scene  of  his  contemplated  labors,  but,  in  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  was  destined  never  to  reach  it.  From  his 
brethren  and  friends,  he  received  many  testimonials  of 
affectionate  and  deeply  regretted  parting.  The  New  Mar- 
ket-street church,  for  which  he  had  frequently  preached, 
presented  to  him  the  following,  as  an  expression  of  their 
high  regard  and  affection  for  his  character. 

"  It  has  been  the  pleasure  of  Almighty  God  to  permit 
our  brother,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Staughton,  to  preach  for  us  the 
last  ten  weeks,  to  our  entire  satisfaction  and  edification. 
He  presented  the  glorious  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ,  which  are  held  precious  by  all  the  Baptist  churches 
in  this  region  of  the  country.  And  whereas  it  appears 
to  be  the  will  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  that  he 
should  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  among  the  Baptist 
churches  in  the  Western  States,  but  more  especially  to  fill 
the  important  office  of  president  of  the  college  in  George- 
town, Kentucky, 

"  We,  therefore,  present  this  as  a  faint  tribute  of  respect 
for  the  high  consideration  which  we  have  of  him,  as  a  ser- 
vant of  the  Most  High." 

The  disease,  which  finally  terminated  his  life,  had  already 
commenced  its  work.  The  idea  of  being  separated  from 
his  children,  probably  contributed,  in  no  small  degree,  to 
sink  a  constitution,  already  yielding  to  its  influence.  In  a 
letter  to  one  of  his  children  he  writes :    "  My  heart  is 


DR.      ST  AUG  11  TON.  285 

wrung  uitli  the  idea  of  parting  with  you  for  the  West.  I 
do  not  think  I  can  give  tlie  farewell  ki.ss  to  my  inestimable 
Mary,  (his  eldest  grand-child)  although  the  rest  I  know 
not  how  to  love  less.  Well,  perhaps,  we  shall  see  each 
other  in  Baltimore  again.  If  not,  I  trust  we  are  going, 
where 

'  We  shall  see  and  hear  and  know, 

All  we  desired  or  wisiicd  below  !'  " 

When  he  reached  Baltimore  it  was  obvious  to  his  family 
that  the  moment  of  his  departure  was  hastening  on.  After 
spending  a  few  days  with  his  children  in  this  city,  his 
anxiety  to  reach  the  place  of  his  destination,  induced  him 
to  proceed  to  Washington,  though  in  a  state  of  health 
exceedingly  delicate  and  painful.  He  bore  the  journey 
better  than  was  contemplated,  and  during  the  night  that 
he  was  on  board  the  steam-boat,  was  favored  with  a  pecu- 
liarly happy  frame  of  mind.  Mrs.  Staughton,  after  their 
arrival  at  Washington,  writes  as  follows:  "I  fell  asleep 
with  a  heavy  heart,  thinking  of  your  beloved  father's  situa- 
tion. I  was  awakened  by  a  slight  noise,  whicn  he  made  in 
dreaming.  I  went  to  him  and  spoke,  on  which  he  looked 
at  me  and  said,  '  Oh,  I  have  had  such  a  heavenly  vision,' 
and  with  a  low  voice  repeated,  '  Mallelitjah  !  Ilalldnjah  ! 
Ilalkhtjah  r  " 

At  times,  hopes  were  entertained  of  his  recovery,  but 
they  ultimately  proved  delusive.  After  reaching  Wash- 
ington, he  so  far  regained  strength  as  to  preach  once,  and 
to  write  a  few  letters.  The  following  was  written  by  him 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Noel. 

"Washington,  Nov.  2,  1829. 
"Dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  tried,  but  found  it  beyond  my  power,  to  reach 
Geororetown  by  the  time  of  the  semi-annual  meeting  of  the 


286  MEMOIR      OF 

Kentucky  Baptist  Education  Society.  I  have  sent  on,  by 
wagons,  my  books,  and  some  other  articles,  which  I  have 
directed  to  Georgetown. 

"  Myself  and  Mrs.  Staughton  are  thus  far  on  our  jour- 
ney, all  anxiety  to  reach  the  spot  which  Providence  ap- 
pears to  have  pointed  to,  as  our  ultimate  habitation.  I 
must  spend  a  few  days  with  my  children  here,  and  render 
my  journey  easy  as  possible,  in  consequence  of  some  weak- 
ness of  body,  resulting  from  a  bilious  attack,  which  oc- 
curred a  little  time  before  I  left  Philadelphia.  In  the 
expectation  of  shortly  seeing  yourself  and  the  managers, 
face  to  face,  and  uniting  our  counsels  for  the  advancement 
of  sound  learning,  and  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer, 
"  I  am  respectfully  yours, 

WM.  STAUGHTON." 

In  a  few  days  after  this,  with  a  tremulous  hand,  he  wrote 
to  his  daughter  in  Baltimore. 

"  My  precious  Leonora, 

"  Your  kind  letter  of  the  2d  is  received,  for  which  ac- 
cept my  warmest  thanks.  The  evening  I  took  leave  of 
you  seemed  covered  with  death's  deepest  shadows,  but  they 
did  not  endure  for  a  night.  I  forgot  all,  in  a  sweet  sense 
of  divine  protection,  and  in  refreshing  sleep.  I  am  not 
yet  restored,  yet  I  trust  I  am  improving.  It  is  a  consid- 
erable time  since  I  had  so  fine  a  night's  rest  as  the  last. 
Still  my  recovery  shews  a  reluctance,  which  I  am  left  to 
deplore.     The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done. 

^'  I  should  like  you,  my  love,  to  write  me,  at  farthest, 
every  two  or  three  days,  for  soon  the  periods  of  our  in- 
tercommunications will  become  afflictingly  remote. 

"  Indulge  me,  my  child,  with  an  interest  in  your  suppli- 


DR.      S  T  A  U  C;  II  T  O  N.  287 

cations  at  a  throne  of  mercy.     I  pray,  my  daughter,  for 
you. 

"  May  the  precious  rays  of  a  Saviour's   countenance, 
beam  on  us  while  here,  and  descend  on  our  dying  hour. 
"  Your  affectionate  father, 

WM.  STAUGIITON." 

The  last  letter  he  ever  wrote,  was  dated  November  27th, 
1S29.  In  this  he  says  :  "  The  first  fortnight  after  I  arrived 
at  Washington,  if  I  had  possessed  the  power  of  writing,  I 
should  have  had  worse  than  nothing  to  have  told  you. 
The  Lord  has  lately  been  pleased,  I  trust,  to  shine  on  my 
health.  You  will  scarcely  believe  me  when  I  tell  you, 
that  last  Lord's  day  morning  I  preached  for  Mr.  Brown. 
I  was  very  happy  once  more  to  testify  the  Gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God.     I  expect  to  preach  again  next  Lord's  day." 

But  he  was  disappointed.  His  disease  returned  with 
renewed  violence.  When  extremely  low,  he  was  very 
desirous  to  see  his  eldest  daughter,  his  other  children 
being  with  him,  but  a  gracious  God  saw  fit  that  it  should 
be  otherwise.  Her  husband  was  at  that  time  lying  dan- 
gerously ill,  and  although  but  thirty-six  miles  distant,  she 
was  unable  to  be  with  him. 

His  perfect  resignation  to  the  will  of  God  is  evident, 
from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  his  son. 

"WasJiington,  Dec.  5,  1829. 

"  Your  letter,  which  arrived  by  to-day's  mail,  created 
great  anxiety  in  our  bosoms.  We  had  been  looking  for 
you  all  the  morning.  Pa  was  very  anxious.  I  sat  up  with 
him  last  night,  and  every  hour  he  would  ask,  '  is  it  not 
almost  time  for  the  stage  to  arrive  with  my  precious  Leo- 
nora.' When  your  letter  arrived  I  read  him  portions  of  it. 
'  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.    Tell  Leonora  that  I  have 


288  MEMOIR      OF 

ceased  to  wish  for  her.  The  Lord  has  afflicted  her.  It  is 
not  her  duty  to  come  to  me.  Tell  her  I  am  resigned.' 
And,  indeed,  his  mind  since  then  has  been  quite  easy 
about  you.  He  is  very  calm.  He  says  but  little.  Last 
night  Mr.  B.  called  and  conversed,  and  prayed  with  him. 
Pa  told  him,  that  his  hopes  on  Christ  had  been  fixed  for 
forty  years,  and  that  He  was  still  his  hope,  and  joy,  and 
strength,  and  life.  As  regards  eternity  he  said,  '  All  is 
rigid;  all  is  rigid.'  He  awoke  a  few  minutes  ago  ex- 
claiming, '  O  what  a  heavenly  view  I  have  just  now  had,' 
— but  was  too  weak  to  tell  us  any  more.  We  are  much 
gratified  that  his  mind  is  in  such  a  calm  and  holy  state." 

Mrs.  Staughton  afterwards  wrote  a  letter,  by  his  request, 
to  his  daughter  in  Baltimore,  of  which  the  following  is  an 
extract. 

"Washington,  Dec.  8,  1829. 
"  My  dearest  child, 

"  Sitting  at  this  time  at  the  side  of  your  beloved  Pa,  he 
has  just  now  said,  '  My  Anna,  I  want  you  to  write  a  line  to 
our  dear  Nora,  and  tender  to  her  our  dearest  sympathies ; 
say,  if  we  should  never  meet  again  on  earth,  to  sing  our 
hallelujahs  together,  we  hope  there  is  a  better  world  where 
we  shall  meet.'  I  give  you,  my  Leonora,  word  for  word 
what  your  dear  Pa  says.  He  is  still  spared  to  us,  but  the 
physicians  give  no  hope.  Yesterday  he  was  so  much  re- 
vived, that  I  fondly  flattered  myself,  that  the  Lord  was 
about  to  show  his  great  power  and  mercy,  and  raise  my 
beloved  husband  again.  But  I  dare  not  flatter  myself, 
against  the  opinion  of  all  around  me.  I  wish,  my  dear 
Leonora,  I  could  say  his  ideas  are  clear,  but  I  cannot,  he 
lies  almost  always  quiet,  as  though  he  were  sleeping,  but 
he  is  too  weak,  and  his  mind  is  too  wandering,  to  hold  any 


DR.      ST  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  289 

tiling  like  conversation.     Almost  as  soon  as  I  took  up  my 
pen  he  fell  into  a  dose,  and  still  continues  so." 

Connected  with  this  was  a  letter  from  his  son,  J.  M. 
Staughton,  I\I.  D.  "  Pa  is  still  very  low.  lie  wanders 
very  much  in  his  mind.  We  have  no  hope  that  he  will 
recover.  He  may  linger  for  several  days,  but  I  fear  his 
disease  has  laid  a  deadly  hold  upon  him.  The  Lord's  will 
be  done." 

He  had  a  very  strong  impression  before  he  left  Phila- 
delphia, that  his  days  were  numbered.  On  one  occasion, 
he  took  up  his  grandchild  Mary  in  his  arms  and  said, 
"  Dear  Mary,  grandpa  will  not  he  with  you  long,  he  will 
(lie  soon." 

When  he  was  about  to  leave  Philadelphia,  and,  as  the 
event  proved,  never  to  return,  he  said  to  an  old  friend  of 
his,  as  he  shook  him  by  the  hand  for  the  last  time,  "  We 
shall  never  meet  again  on  earth."  His  heart  was  full,  the 
tears  rolled  down  his  clieeks.  After  a  moment's  pause  he 
recovered,  and  with  a  firm  voice  said,  "But  we  shall  meet> 
and  all  will  be  well." 

His  impressions  were  realized.  The  time  of  his  depart- 
ure was  at  hand.  On  the  r2lh  day  of  December,  1829, 
aged  59  years,  11  months,  and  8  days,  he  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus. 

"  Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord.  Yea,  from 
henceforth,  saith  the  Spirit,  for  they  rest  from  their  labors, 
and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

Great  anxiety,  as  to  the  result  of  his  sickness,  was  mani- 
fested in  Philadelphia  and  other  places.  His  sister's  house 
was  continually  fdled  with  weeping  friends,  to  obtain  the 
latest  information  of  his  situation.  The  inquiry  would 
often  pass  from  one  to  another  with  trembling.  Have  you 
heard  how  Dr.  Staughton  is  ?  All  seemed  interested  in 
the  question,  yet  all  feared  to  hear  the  reply. 


290  MEMOIR      OF 

The  following  letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ballantine,  of 
Philadelphia,  expressed  the  feeling  of  multitudes  at  the 
time.     It  was  addressed  to  his  son. 

"  My  dear  Sir, 

"  Torn  by  anxious  feelings  about  the  state  of  your  re- 
vered and  much  loved  father,  I  beg  you  would  seize  a  few 
moments  to  say  by  your  own  pen,  what  is  his  real  state. 
It  is  my  earnest  prayer  to  our  heavenly  Father,  that  he 
would  have  compassion  upon  us,  by  sparing  the  life  of  our 
highly  respected  brother,  your  best  of  fathers,  and  make 
him  yet  in  old  age  to  bring  forth  much  fruit.  But  my 
fears,  hopes  and  anxieties,  have  increased  amidst  the 
different  and  contradictory  accounts  I  have  been  able  to 
obtain.  I  hope  you  will  send  me  a  few  lines,  that  shall  fill 
me  with  exceeding  joy.  His  absence  from  us,  in  this  his 
almost  native  city,  is,  were  it  not  the  will  of  the  Lord, 
affliction  enough,  how  much  more  to  know  of  his  afflicted 
state  in  Washington.  Wc  miss  him  much,  not  to  say  I. 
The  letters  and  reports  from  your  city,  the  most  of  them 
contradictory,  and  the  questions  anxiously  proposed  here, 
all  discover  the  esteem  in  which  he  has  been  held.  The 
Lord  spare  him,  that  he  may  recover  strength.  The  Lord 
make  the  light  of  his  face  to  shine  upon  him,  and  give 
him  abundance  of  peace.  Do  remember  me  to  him,  in  the 
simplicity  of  Christian  love.  Say,  he  lives  in  my  heart, 
and  the  hearts  of  thousands. 

I  am,  my  dear  Sir,  your  anxious  friend, 

WILLIAM  BALLANTINE. 

The  following  letters  give  an  ample  and  interesting  re- 
lation of  his  sickness  and  decease, 


< 


DR.      STAUGHTON.  291 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  his  so/i. 

"  Washington,  Dec.  14,  1829. 

"  My  dear  L. 

"  Our  poor  dear  fatlier  has  at  lengtli  been  called  home 
by  his  blessed  Master.  lie  died  without  a  single  care  or 
distress  of  mind — he  died  without  pain.  The  consequence 
was,  that  his  corpse  wore  a  calm  and  placid  aspect.  Oh, 
my  dear  sister,  you  never  saw  any  thing  so  beautifid  as 
was  the  dead  body  of  our  beloved  father.  Such  majesty 
and  such  beauty  1  never  saw.  He  looked  as  he  did  in  his 
best  days,  only  with  a  softened  beauty.  We  had  an  artist 
to  take  a  cast  of  his  face  and  neck,  and  when  it  is  finished, 
I  will  beg  you  to  accept  of  a  copy  for  mine  and  Louisa's  sake. 

"  I  had  the  funeral  services  performed  in  the  plainest, 
and  yet  the  most  respectful  manner.  All  the  clergy  were 
present,  even  the  Roman  Catholic  Apostolic  Vicar.  The 
trustees,  faculty  and  students  of  all  the  departments  of  the 
college,  made  arrangements  and  walked  in  procession. 
The  house  was  surrounded  by  hundreds,  who  could  not 
procure  entrance.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Brown  spoke,  Dr.  Cha- 
pin  and  Dr.  Lawrie  prayed. 

"  My  poor  dear  father  died  without  feeling  the  agony  of 
death.  He  fell  asleep  quietly  and  sweetly.  I  never  heard 
any  thing  so  melancholy,  musical  and  mournful,  as  the 
last  sighs,  the  three  last  sighs,  of  my  dear  father.  They 
have  been  ringing  in  my  ears  ever  since,  and  the  sound  of 
them  will  never  leave  me.  Oli  !  that  you  could  have 
heard  them." 

Letter  from  his  ofiicted  icidow. 
"  My  beloved  Daughter, 

"  You  request  of  me  some  account  of  your  dear  father 
from  tlie  time  I  became  his  favored  and  happy  wife. 
That  happiness  was  of  short  duration,    for   it  pleased  the 


292  MEMOIR     OF 

Lord  to  take  him  from  me  in  but  little  more  than  three 
months  after  we  were  united.  But  O,  I  have  great  reason 
to  bless  the  Lord  for  permitting  me  the  privilege  of  adminis- 
tering to  his  last  comforts,  and  smoothing  his  dying  pillow. 
"  It  would  seem  that  he  had  often  at  that  period  a  pre- 
sentiment, that  his  time  in  this  world  of  sorrow  would  be 
short;  for  sometimes  when  he  was  enjoying  every  appear- 
ance of  health,  he  would  say,  '  My  dear  Anna,  I  some- 
times think  my  life  may  not  be  spared  to  be  united  to  you. 
O  how  much  do  I  need  a  dear  companion,  to  soothe  me  in 
the  decline  of  life.  I  have,  for  five  years  past,  been  like  a 
pelican  in  the  wilderness.'  On  the  evening  of  our  mar- 
riage, my  dear  husband  was  suffering  with  a  severe  head- 
ache, which  was  for  several  days  attended  with  much 
fever.  His  physician  called  to  see  him  two  or  three  times, 
ordering  a  little  mild  medicine,  which  appeared  to  relieve 
him.  He  did  not  entirely  recover  his  strength  while  we 
remained  in  Philadelphia,  but  continued  his  ministerial 
duties  with  all  his  wonted  zeal,  usually  preaching  three 
times  on  a  Lord's  day,  and  once  or  twice  in  the  week.  If 
there  was  any  change  in  him  at  that  time,  it  was  his  in- 
creased desire  to  see  souls  converted  to  God.  The  last 
sermon  he  ever  preached  in  Philadelphia  was  from  the 
words,  '  And  they  shall  see  his  face,  and  his  name  shall 
be  in  their  foreheads.'  It  was  eloquent  and  powerful,  but 
he  was  weak  and  feeble,  and  the  effort  was  too  great.  He 
nearly  fainted  before  he  left  the  house.  The  congrega- 
tion continued  lingering,  each  wishing  to  get  a  parting 
blessing,  and  with  many  tears  testifying  their  love  to  him. 
The  house  was  crowded,  and  all  seemed  '  sorrowing  most 
of  all   that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more.'*      Ou   the 

*  After  service  an  aged  friend  came  up  and  remarked  to  me,  that 
in  the  course  of  thirty  years<  which  he  had  been  in  tlie  habit  of 
hearing  the  Doctor  preach,  he  had  never  heard  him  speak  with 
more  vigor  of  intellect,  than  he  had  done  that  evenino-. 


DR.     S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  293 

Tuesday  following,  lie  left  Philadclpliia  for  his  children, 
in  a  neigliboring  city.  He  also  preached  on  tlie  morning 
of  that  day,  although  his  walk  to  the  meeting-house  was 
very  long,  and  he  had  gone  through  great  fatigue  in  the 
course  of  the  past  week,  preparing  for  his  journey  to  tlie 
West.  I  think  it  was  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  as  we 
walked  to  the  meeting-house,  that  he  remarked,  how  la- 
mentable it  was  to  hear  young  ministering  brethren  say,  that 
it  was  too  fatiguing  to  preach  three  times  on  a  Sabbath  ; 
he  said  he  would,  at  his  time  of  life,  be  ashamed  to  say  so. 
"  Ilis  anxiety  to  commence  his  labors  of  usefulness  in 
the  West,  was  exceedingly  ardent,  and  to  the  unwearied 
exertions  he  made  to  get  away  from  Philadeli)hia,  at  the 
time  we  did,  to  pursue  that  object,  do  I  attribute,  in  a 
great  degree,  the  fatal  consequences  which  followed.  We 
left  here  October  20th,  and  arrived  in  Baltimore  the  same 
evening.  You  will  recollect,  your  beloved  father  appeared 
unusually  overcome  with  the  fatigue  of  the  journey  ;  it 
was  attended  with  an  alarming  weakness,  which  induced 
me  to  urge  him  the  next  day  to  obtain  medical  advice. 
Aly  dear  husband  was  not  altogether  confined  to  his  bed, 
but  walked  out  frequently.  His  anxiety  was  so  intense  to 
proceed  on  the  journey,  thnt  we  only  staid  about  ten  days 
in  Baltimore.  We  both  flattered  ourselves,  that  as  he  pro- 
ceeded, and  received  the  benefit  of  a  change  of  air,  and 
the  advice  of  our  son,  that  he  would  continue  to  improve 
as  he,  for  the  last  few  days  of  our  stay  in  Baltimore,  ap- 
peared to  have  done.  His  physician  thought  him  not 
sufficiently  strong  to  proceed  ;  but  seeing  his  great  anxiety, 
concluded,  that  it  would  be  best  for  us  to  go,  as  the  delay 
might  affect  him  more  seriously  than  the  fatigue  of  the 
journey,  which  could  be  performed  with  great  ease  in  the 
steam-boat.  We  arrived  at  Washington  on  the  evening  of 
November  1st.  Your  beloved  father  appeared  a?tonish- 
26 


294  MEMOIR      OF 

ingly  better,  and  I  fondly  flattered  myself  he  would  very 
soon  be  quite  well.  He  continued  to  improve  so  much, 
that  in  about  three  weeks  after  our  arrival,  he  was  enabled 
to  ascend  the  pulpit ;  on  which  ocsasion  he  preached  from, 
or  rather  expounded,  the  84th  Psalm.  He  again  became 
more  unwell,  although  he  walked  and   rode  out  frequently. 

"  The  following  Sabbath,  after  having  preached  at  the 
Baptist  church,  he  was  anxious  to  preach  in  the  Orphan 
Asylum.  We  prevailed  on  him  to  relinquish  this  idea. 
He,  however,  accompanied  us  there  in  the  afternoon,  to 
hear  Mr.  B.,  and,  at  his  request,  addressed  the  throne  of 
grace.  On  the  day  previous  to  my  becoming  seriously 
alarmed  about  him,  we  had  spent  the  day  with  your  sister 
E.  He  appeared  extremely  fatigued,  after  having  walked 
there,  although  but  a  short  distance,  and  declined  going  to 
the  dinner  table.  As  he  lay  on  the  sofa,  I  prevailed  on 
him  to  take  a  little  nourishment  from  my  hand,  which  he 
did,  ever  tender  and  anxious  to  gratify  my  wishes,  and 
those  of  his  children,  so  dear  to  his  heart.  It  was  with 
difficulty,  that  with  the  assistance  of  Dr.  T.  and  myself, 
he  was  able  to  walk  back  again  to  your  brother's  house. 

"  His  feet  had  that  day  become  so  excessively  swelled 
as  to  make  it  painful  for  him  to  walk.  I  was  now  sud- 
denly and  inexpressibly  alarmed,  unable  to  conceal  from 
my  dear  husband  the  agitation  of  my  feelings.  I  left  him 
in  the  parlor  with  two  of  his  children,  and  retired  to  my 
room  to  seek  relief  for  the  agony  of  my  feelings,  in  tears. 
As  soon  as  I  became  a  little  composed,  I  returned  to  the 
parlor  and  found  him  engaged  in  conversation.  He  spoke 
with  difficulty,  and  I  feared  the  consequences  of  such  an 
exertion,  and  urged  his  retiring  to  rest.  It  was  the  last 
time  of  his  being  up.  O  how  shall  I  describe  the  recol- 
lection of  that  mournful  period  ?  How  shall  I  tell  you  my 
hopes  and   fears  during   the  twelve  days   following.     His 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  H  T  O  N.  295 

Strength  was  now  totally  prostrated ;  he  was  not  able  to  sit 
up  tor  one  minute,  or  even  to  aher  hi.s  position  wlien  we 
thought  it  necessary  ;  it  brought  on  such  an  alarming 
shortness  of  breath,  as  to  deter  us  sometimes  from  moving 
him  more  than  once  a  day. 

"  lie  was  unable  to  speak  much,  for  it  invariably 
brought  on  a  violent  cough  and  shortness  of  breathinor. 
He  would  lay  for  several  hours  without  speaking  or  no- 
ticing any  thing.  He  said  but  little  to  me  on  the 
prospect  of  our  separation ;  his  tender  and  affectionate 
heart  could  not  bear  to  see  the  distress  it  occasioned.  O 
how  much  have  I  lamented  my  weakness.  I  was  often 
buoyed  up  with  the  hope,  that  his  precious  and  useful  life 
would  be  spared.  I  could  not  realize  that  he  must  in  that 
sickness  be  taken  away  from  me,  and  he  was  not  aware 
himself,  for  some  time,  that  it  was  a  sickness  unto  death. 
He  asked  your  brother  what  was  the  opinion  of  the  phy- 
sicians ;  for  he  had,  besides  our  dear  James,  two  of  the 
oldest  and  most  experienced  practitioners  in  the  place. 
James,  in  answer  to  his  inquiry,  candidly  told  him  they 
had  no  hope  of  his  recovery.  My  dear  husband  heard  him 
with  great  calmness,  and  observed,  that  he  had  not  con- 
sidered himself  so  ill,  but  added,  '  The  Lord  will  do  what 
is  right  with  me ;  I  am  in  his  hands.'  Whilst  in  this 
solemn  conversation  with  his  son,  I  sat  weeping  at  a  little 
distance,  for  I  did  not  wish  him  to  be  disturbed  at  seeing 
my  sorrow.  He  soon  afterwards  called  me  to  him,  and 
requested  I  would  sit  by  him  and  write  his  farewell  bless- 
ing to  his  dear  Leonora,  who  had  been  sent  for,  but 
could  not  come,  as  her  dear  husband  also  lay  dangerously 
ill.  Seeing  me  still  weeping,  he  said,  '  Don't,  my  Anna, 
you  know  not  how  it  distresses  me.'  I  have  great  reason 
to  praise  the  Lord  for  so  wonderfully  supporting  me  in 
that  trying  season,  so  that  the  last  moments  of  my  precious 


296  M  E  ai  O  I  R      OF 

husband  were  not  disturbed  by  me.  The  Lord  mercifully 
kept  me  from  despairing  of  his  life.  I  could  not  give  up 
the'  strong  impression  I  had  that  his  valuable  life  would  be 
spared  for  further  usefulness.  Every  circumstance  relative 
to  his  removal  to  the  West  appeared  plainly  marked  out 
by  Providence.  But  to  return.  I  sat  down  and  wrote 
what  he  dictated,  sending  his  tenderest  love  and  farewell 
blessing;  adding,  that  he  gave  her  up  cheerfully,  although 
his  anxious  desire  had  been  to  have  her  with  him  in  his 
last  moments.  When  my  tea  was  brought  up  to  me  that 
evening,  I  urged  his  taking  something  to  eat,  he  replied, 
'  to-morrow  I  will  try,  but  not  to-night.  I  must  now  think 
more,  and  pray  more.'  I  do  not  think,  as  well  as  I  can  re- 
collect, that  he  spoke  that  night.  1  sat  beside  him  until 
morning,  and  at  limes  he  breathed  so  low,  that  I  frequently 
became  alarmed,  and  called  James,  who  remained  with  me 
to  watch  that  night,  to  the  bed-side  ;  I  said,  your  Pa  is 
sinking.  He  would  feel  his  pulse,  and  satisfy  himself  that 
t'lere  was  no  cause  for  alarm.  The  next  day  your  beloved 
father  appeared  much  revived. 

"  On  the  following  Friday,  every  alarming  symptom  was 
so  much  abated,  the  physicians  gave  it  as  their  opinion, 
that  if  we  could  prevail  on  your  dear  father  to  take  nour- 
ishment, he  might  be  raised.  O  how  did  my  heart  now 
bound  with  joy  and  hope.  I  prevailed  upon  him  frequent- 
ly to  take  nourishing  drink.  The  same  afternoon,  so 
cheered  was  I  to  see  him  so  much  revived,  that  I  sat  down 
by  him  with  some  sewing ;  for  he  used  to  love  to  have  me 
sit  by  him  with  my  work,  while  he  read  aloud.  He  looked 
at  me  and  said,  in  a  sweet  low  voice,  '  my  Anna,  are  you 
going  to  have  your  husband  back  again?'  I  replied,  'I 
hops  the  Lord  is  about  to  spare  you  to  me,  my  trust  is 
alone  in  him.  I  know  if  it  is  his  will  he  can  soon  raise 
you  ;'  he  gave  me  a  look  signifying  you  are  right.     That 


i 


DR.      8TAUGHT0N.  297 

night,  after  having  administered  to  him  some  drink,  lie  beg- 
ged me  to  lie  down  ;  it  distressed  him  to  find  1  was  sitting 
up  at  night  ;  we  both  slept  for  more  than  half  an  hour. 
I  was  awakened  by  his  appearing  to  be  in  pain,  which  in 
a  few  minutes  went  off.  A  little  before  12  o'clock,  I  ob- 
served a  slight  motion  in  his  limbs.  I  looked  in  his  face, 
his  eyes  were  fixed.  I  put  my  arm  under  his  head,  and 
said,  '  JNIy  husband,  my  dear  husband,  look  at  me,  look  at 
your  wife.'  Alas,  he  did  not  seem  conscious  of  my  voice 
or  touch.  We  all  stood  in  silence  around  his  bed,  no 
sound  or  breath  was  heard  from  him.  In  a  moment  or  two 
more,  three  low,  soft,  sweet  sighs,  were  breathed  by  him, 
and  again  all  was  still.  O  I  shall  never,  never,  forget  that 
moment  of  agony.  James  raised  his  hand,  as  a  token  of 
silence,  we  still  listened  to  catch  another  sweet,  mournful 
sound.  It  was,  as  our  dear  James  observed  to  me  after- 
wards, like  the  wind  softly  sweeping  over  the  fine  chords 
of  an  ^Eolian  harp.  I  continued  with  my  arms  round  him, 
listening  in  vain  for  another  breath,  or  some  sign  of  life, 
his  dear  eyes  closed,  as  though  he  had  sunk  into  a  sweet 
sleep,  only  to  wake  and  see  his  Saviour's  face,  without  a 
veil  between. 

"  Those  who  knew  him  best,  knew  how  familiar  he  was 
wont  to  make  himself  with  the  thought  of  death.  It  had 
no  terror  to  him ;  he  looked  forward  with  a  calm  and  holy 
confidence  to  those  realms  of  bliss,  where  there  is  no  sor- 
row, no  pain,  no  night,  but  where  the  light  of  God's  coun- 
tenance shall  shine  upon  him  forever  and  ever,  and  where 
he  has  now  *  The  Lamb'  written  on  his  forehead. 

"  During  his  illness  a  ministering  brother  came  to  see 

him.     He  expressed  his  hope  that  his  life  would  be  spared. 

My  dear   husband  replied,  '  If  it  is  the  Lord's  will,  for  rny 

Anna's  sake,  and  for  the  cause  in  which   I  have  engaged 

26* 


298  MEMOIR      OF 

in  the  West,  that  I  live  a  few  years  longer,  I  should  be 
pleased  ;  but  with  me  all  is  right,  I  know  in  whom  I  have 
believed ;  and  that  He,  who  has  been  my  consolation  and 
hope,  and  has  kept  me  for  forty  years,  will  not  at  last  for- 
sake me.'  To  another  Christian  friend,  on  being  asked,  if 
Christ  was  still  precious  to  him  he  said,  O  yes, 

'  Christ  is  my  liglit,  my  life,  my  care. 
My  blessed  hope,  my  heavenly  prize.' 

"  I  have  lost  the  tenderest  and  most  affectionate  of  hus- 
bands, and  you  the  best  of  fathers.  Our  loss  is  his  ever- 
lasting gain.  O  that  the  Lord  would  sanctify  it  to  our 
souls  ;  and  although  separated  on  earth  some  hundreds  of 
miles,  may  we  at  last  be  permitted  to  meet  him  in  the 
Saviour's  presence,  and  there  join  with  him  and  all  the  re- 
deemed in  glory,  in  everlasting  songs  of  praise  to  Him, 
who  hath  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own 
blood." 


Extract   of    a   letter  from    one   of   ?iis    dmighters    to    a 
friend. 

"  My  dear  father  had  been  in  the  habit  for  many  years 
of  presenting  me  with  a  small  pocket  or  memorandum 
book,  on  the  commencement  of  every  new  year  ;  not  as  a 
testimony  of  his  love,  for  that  love  was  ever  present  to  me ; 
but,  as  he  expressed  it,  '  to  note  down  the  goodness  of  God, 
as  the  year  rolled  round.' 

"  The  last  new  year's  day  he  ever  spent  on  earth,  I  had 
my  annual  present.  On  the  first  page  he  wrote  '  Presented 
by  an  affectionate  father  to  a  much  loved  daughter,'  and 
then  added  the  following  stanza  : 


DR.     S  T  A  u  c  n  T  O  N.  299 

'  My  lot  in  future  years, 
Unable  to  foresee ; 
II E  kindly,  to  prevent  my  fears, 
Says,  leave  it  all  to  mc' 

"  When  I  received  it  from  his  dear  hand,  ah!  little  did 
I  think  the  sad  record  it  was  to  bear ;  for  ere  another  new 
year's  morn  appeared, 

'  He  had  vanished  from  my  view 

Far,  far,  above  heaven's  brightest  blue,' 

and  I,  left  to  mourn  one  of  the  most  tender,  affectionate, 
sympathizing  parents,  that  ever  child  was  blessed  with. 
O  my  dear  C.  language  fails  to  express  what  he  was  to  his 
family.  Every  sorrow  we  felt  was  his,  every  joy  made  him 
rejoice.  I  was  selfish  in  wishing  him  ever  with  me.  He 
has  often  said,  that  his  happiness  in  this  world  far  overbal- 
anced his  sorrows  ;  but  he  had  his  sorrows.  He  is  now,  I 
doubt  not,  where  '  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither 
shall  there  be  any  more  pain  :  for  the  former  things  are 
passed  away.' 

"  His  death  was  everywhere  learned  with  the  deepest 
sorrow.  The  widow  and  the  orphan  wept  freely,  when 
they  heard  he  was  no  more,  for  he  was  their  benefactor. 
All  classes  of  society  felt  the  shock,  and  all  could  adopt 
the  language,  *  A  great  man — -fallen  in  Israel.'  " 

The  obituary  notices  which  appeared  in  different  publi- 
cations of  the  day,  bear  testimony  to  the  intense  interest 
with  which  he  was  regarded  while  living,  and  to  the  un- 
affected grief  which  his  departure  occasioned  in  the  wide 
circle  of  friendship. 

We  subjoin  here  a  letter  from  Professor  Chase  to  Dr. 
James  N.  Staughton,  which,  with  many  other  letters  of 
condolence,  was  received  immediately  after  the  Doctor's 
death. 


300  MEMOIR      OP 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  The  afflictive  intelligence,  that  reached  me  last  eve- 
ning, has  awakened  emotions,  which  I  shall  not  attempt  to 
describe.  Most  gladly  would  I  pour  consolation  into  your 
bosom,  and  wipe  away  the  tears  of  your  bereaved  sisters, 
and  of  that  amiable  lady,  who  has  so  soon  become  a  widow. 
But  I  need  to  be  consoled  myself.  I  feel  that  I  have  lost 
a  father.  And  thousands,  I  am  confident,  will  sympathize 
in  this  bereavement.  Long  will  his  memory  be  cherished. 
His  labors  have  not  been  in  vain;  but  though  his  own  elo- 
quent tongue  is  silent,  yet  he  lives  and  speaks  in  the  in- 
creased usefulness  of  many  a  herald  of  salvation,  whom  he 
instructed  and  encouraged.  The  fruits  of  his  faith  and 
unwearied  efforts  in  the  missionary  cause  are  beginning  to 
be  gathered  beyond  the  Ganges.  Many  a  family  is  rising 
up  to  call  him  blessed.  Many  a  soul  on  earth,  and  many 
a  soul  now  in  heaven,  was  turned  to  righteousness  through 
his  instrumentality. 

"  May  his  God  be,  indeed,  the  God  of  all  his  children, 
and  the  refuge  of  each  of  us, 

'  Till  the  storm  of  life  be  passed." 

"  It  would  be  gratifying  to  me  to  know  the  particulars 
of  his  last  illness,  and  I  hope  that  you  and  brother  Lynd  will 
prepare  a  suitable  Memoir  of  him  for  the  press. 

"  Mrs.  Chase  unites  with  me  in  affectionate  and  sympa- 
thizing regards  to  yourself  and  the  other  members  of  the 
family.  Our  little  son,  too,  whose  name  is  a  memorial  of 
the  deceased,  mourns  the  common  loss. 

"  Most  sincerely  and  most  respectfully  thine  own  friend, 
and  thy  father's  friend, 

IRAH  CHASE." 


DR.      STArOUTO.V.  301 

Doctor  Staughton  was  universally  beloved  by  Christians 
of  every  denomination.  Although  he  was  a  firm  Baptist, 
lie  ever  treated  those  who  differed  from  him  in  doctrine, 
with  esteem  and  affection ;  and  when  he  had  occasion 
to  speak  on  any  controversial  point,  it  was  done  in  such  a 
manner,  that  his  very  opponents  loved  him. 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Staugh- 
ton,  from  the  Rev.  James  Taylor,  of  the  Unitarian  church 
of  Philadelphia. 

"  During  many  years  we  were  personal  friends  ;  that  is, 
from  the  time  of  his  first  removal  to  this  city  until  he  lefl 
it  for  the  last  time.  I  respected  him  while  he  lived,  and 
honor  his  memory  now  that  he  is  gone. 

"  When  we  think  of  his  talents,  acquirements  and 
virtues  ;  of  his  untiring  assiduity,  and  of  the  amount  of 
service  which  he  rendered  to  the  Baptists  as  a  body ; 
perhaps  no  minister  ever  had  higher  claims  on  the  re- 
spect, esteem  and  gratitude,  of  his  Christian  friends. 
But  he  had  no  ivorldly  wisdom ;  open-hearted,  confiding, 
disinterested  and  generous  ;  he  believed  that  all  were 
like  himself,  and  was  not  aware  of  the  artifices  of  the 
designing,  and  the  calculations  of  the  selfish.  Then, 
too,  he  was  an  Englishman;  he  was  not,  and  could  not 
be  a  political  brawler,  he  spoke  what  he  believed  to  be  the 
truth  in  love  ;  not  with  sectarian  contractedness  ;  for  he 
had  no  theological  bile. 

"  Often  have  I  listened  to  him  with  high  satisfaction  ; 
and  although  differing  from  him  as  to  certain  points  of 
doctrinal  belief,  the  truly  Christian  spirit,  which  he  invari- 
ably manifested  when  he  had  occasion  to  refer  to  (hose 
of  other  persuasions,  was  a  sure  indication  that  his  was  a 
faith  that  worked  by  love. 


302 


MEMOIR     OF 


"  To  you,  who  knew  him  so  well,  respected  him  so 
highly,  and  during  a  few  short  months  stood  in  so  close 
a  connexion  with  him,  much  of  what  has  now  been 
written  must  be  unnecessary  ;  yet  it  may  not  be  wholly 
superfluous  to  show,  that,  beyond  the  denomination  to 
which  he  belonged,  he  was  an  object  of  interest  and 
esteem." 


DH.     STAUGHTON.  303 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Conclusion. 


Shortly  after  the  decease  of  the  Doctor,  the  Rev. 
James  E.  Welch,  of  Burlington,  N.  J.  formerly  a  pupil, 
wrote  to  his  son.  Dr.  James  M.  Staughton,  to  know 
whether  it  would  be  agreeable  to  the  feelings  of  the  chil- 
dren, that  a  monument  should  be  erected  over  the  grave, 
by  the  theological  students  of  the  deceased. 

The  family  cheerfully  gave  their  consent,  and  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Ashton  and  Welch,  wrote  letters,  bearing  the 
names  of  Sharp,  Ashton,  AVelch  and  others,  to  all  the  stu- 
dents, from  most  of  whom  answers  were  received,  express- 
ing the  gratification  it  would  afford  them  to  forward  an 
object,  honorable  to  themselves,  and  grateful  to  the  feel- 
ings of  the  numerous  friends  of  Dr.  Staughton. 

Subsequently  to  this  determination,  and  while  the  monu- 
ment was  preparing,  his  friends  in  Philadelphia  expressed 
the  desire,  that  his  body  might  be  removed  to  that  city,  to 
repose  by  the  side  of  his  former  wife.  This  desire  was 
acceded  to  on  the  part  of  the  family,  and  preparations 
were  made  for  its  removal. 

On  the  17th  of  November,  1832,  the  following  publica- 
tion appeared  in  "  The  World,"  a  religious  paper,  issued 
weekly,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

"  The  remains  of  the  late  Dr.  Staughton  have  been 
removed,  under  the  superintendence  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Wheeler, 
from  the  Episcopal   burying-ground   in  Washington  city, 


304  MEMOIR      OF 

where  they  had  rested  for  nearly  three  years,  to  this  city  ; 
and  the  7th  instant  were  re-interred,  in  the  Sansom-street 
cemetery,  by  the  side  of  his  first  wife.  Many  of  his  former 
friends,  and  those  in  particular  who  had  heard,  during  his 
ministry  in  this  city,  the  word  of  life  from  his  lips,  a  num- 
ber of  his  students,  and  also  many  brethren  of  the  ministry, 
were  present.  At  the  grave,  an  appropriate  and  well  re- 
ceived address  was  delivered  by  brother  Perry,  pastor  of 
the  first  Baptist  church  ;  which  was  followed  by  an  im- 
pressive prayer  to  the  throne  of  grace,  offered  by  brother 
Dagg,  pastor  of  the  fifth  church.  The  benediction  was 
pronounced  by  brother  H.  G.  Jones,  of  Lower  Merion 
church. 

"  The  scene  was  one  of  solemn  interest.  Many  eyea 
were  filled  with  tears  of  sympathy,  and  the  bosoms  of 
many  vibrated  to  the  memory  of  by-gone  days,  as  they 
could  say  of  the  dear  departed,  in  the  heart's  own  silent 
language,  '  We  took  sweet  counsel  together,  and  walked 
to  the  house  of  God  in  company.' 

Address  of  the  Rev.  Mr,  Perry,  at  the  re-hdcrmcnt. 

"  In  detailing  the  history  of  man,  it  is  customary  to 
speak  of  his  birth,  life  and  adventures  ;  his  sickness,  death 
and  burial ;  it  is  not  common  to  have  occasion  to  describe 
his  re-appearing  upon  the  earth,  and  his  recommitment  to 
the  tomb.  But  such  is  the  case  to  day.  The  history  of 
the  noble  personage,  whose  endeared  remains  lie  before 
us,  would  be  one  of  importance  and  value  under  any  cir- 
cumstances ;  because  he  lived  not  so  much  for  himself  as 
he  did  for  man — for  the  church — for  the  mental  cultiva- 
tion of  others.  But  it  strikes  me,  that  the  providence  of 
God  intends  a  very  important  lesson  of  admonition  and  in- 
struction by  this  occurrence.     The  sight  of  the  broken 


DR.      S  T  A  U  G  11  T  O  N.  305 

remains  of  even  a  stranger,  cannot  be  indulged  without 
emotion,  and  some  serious  thouglit  : — to  see  the  noble 
structure  torn  down,  its  walls  demolished  and  laid  apart, 
the  damps  and  rusts  of  death  dissolving  and  eating  up  the 
bones,  and  turning  the  flesh  to  dust,  is  a  lesson,  the  force 
of  which  cannot  be  well  repelled  but  by  the  cold-hearte<l 
sceptic.  But  when  we  can  look  down  and  say,  that  this 
now  shapeless  heap  of  earth  was  once  my  dear,  intimate, 
and  valued  friend,  my  neighbor,  my  instructer,  the  guide 
of  my  youth,  my  pastor,  from  whose  lips  I  heard  the  words 
of  life,  by  whom  I  was  baptized,  from  whose  hands  I  have 
received  the  '  Supper  of  the  Lord,' — who  stood  by  the 
couch  of  sickness,  and  the  pillow  of  death,  who  often 
came  to  this  very  cemetery,  to  console  the  living  over  the 
dead — I  sav,  in  such  reflections,  we  find  a  group  of  cir- 
cumstances which  most  painfully  quickens  the  memory, 
excites  sympathy,  and  draws  out  the  heart-touching  ex- 
clamation— '  Ml/  father,  my  father  !' — and  because  you 
see  him  no  more  as  you  have  seen  him,  you  may  feel  as 
the  lamenting  prophet  did,  who  'took  hold  of  his  own 
clothes,  and  rent  them  in  pieces.'     (2  Kings  ii.  12.) 

"  But  what  are  we  told  by  this  event?  When  this  man 
was  first  interred,  he  w^as  recognized  as  bearing  the  same 
general  features  as  when  living.  True,  his  heart  was  still, 
his  voice  was  silent,  but  he  was  known.  He  lay  wrapped 
in  linen  clean  and  white,  enclosed  in  a  small,  but  highly 
finished  and  decorated  house.  He  was  carried  to  the 
grave,  formed  and  fitted  with  care  and  expense,  and  he 
was  laid  down  with  a  cautious,  gentle,  solemn  hand. 
When  his  coffin  was  lodged  upon  its  bed,  the  sleeping 
occupant  seemed  to  say,  '  here,  friends,  most  quietly  and 
sweetly  I  shall  rest — I  am  out  of  time,  and  therefore,  out 
of  trouble,  having  hope  in  the  mercy  of  God.'  His  place 
looked  enviable,  and  had  it  not  been  for  this  day's  events, 
27 


306  MEMOIROF 

your  last  thoughts  of  him  would  always  have  been  such  as 
were  created  by  the  circumstances  just  detailed.  You 
could  not  have  followed  on,  and  watched  the  gathering 
damps,  and  pale,  cold  mould  of  the  grave,  which  forms 
the  riot  of  the  guileful  worm,  which  lives  to  be  buried 
with  the  dead,  and  lives  the  longer  for  being  buried.  Im- 
agination could  hardly  have  painted  or  art  have  drawn, 
the  silent,  sure,  and  ever  steady  work  of  wasting  carried 
on  by  death,  even  where  we  supposed  death  had  lost  its 
power.  But  now  we  shall  go  from  this  place  under  the 
most  solemn,  humble,  and  affecting  impressions  and  con- 
victions of  what  is  done  by  the  destroyer  iti  the  grave. 
Look,  what  do  we  behold !  let  the  sceptic  acknowledge 
that  in  one  instance  certainly,  the  Scripture  is  fulfilled, 
'  Dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou  return.' 

"But,  my  friends,  let  us  derive  instruction  from  what  we 
here  witness.  By  one  man  sin  entered  the  world,  and 
death  by  sin.  Death  has  passed  upon  all,  for  all  have  sin- 
ned. There  is,  therefore,  no  discharge  in  this  war.  Death 
is  a  solemn  event  :  it  disconcerts  the  schemes  our  busy 
minds  had  formed  ;  it  sunders  all  the  endearments  of  life  ; 
it  changeth  the  countenance,  and  sendeth  man  away  ;  it 
makes  the  laborer  turn  from  his  employ,  and  the  author 
from  his  task  ;  it  divorces  from  this  life,  and  marries  us  to 
eternity  ;  it  does  so,  by  tearing  down  the  house  of  this  tab- 
ernacle, and  turning  it  to  corruption. 

"  But  death  is  much  more  solemn,  when  we  consider 
our  relations  to  another  world.  Death  is  not  the  extinc- 
tion of  existence,  it  is  only  the  conclusion  of  one  ?nodc  of 
it.  We  close  our  eyes  on  sense  and  matter,  but  immedi- 
ately open  them,  where  it  is  all  around  inscribed — here 
there  is  no  death ;  but  '  he  that  is  unjust,  let  him  be  unjust 
still ;  and  he  that  is  filthy,  let  him  be  filthy  still  :  and  he 
that  is  righteous,  let  him  be  righteous  still ;  and  he  that  is 


D  It.      ST  AUGHT  ON.  307 

lioly,  let  him  be  holy  still.'  'It  is  appointed  unto  man, 
once  to  die,  but  after  that  the  judgment.'  Dcatli,  beyond 
all  comparison,  is  the  most  momentous  event  that  can  pos- 
sibly befall  us. 

"  Over  the  ashes  of  one  whoso  memory  is  so  dear  to  us, 
let  us,  my  brethren  of  the  ministry,  learn  the  value  of  time, 
and  the  importance  of  discharging  the  duties  of  our  re- 
sponsible and  holy  calling,  with  zeal,  faithfulness,  and 
piety.  The  shafts,  flying  on  every  side,  hurled  by  one 
whose  aim  is  sure,  though  they  have  passed  on  our  right 
hand  and  on  our  left,  have  struck  down  lover  and  friend, 
and  consigned  them  to  the  land  of  silence,  will  soon  be 
levelled  at  our  hearts ;  for  we  too  are  earthen  vessels, 
liable  daily  to  be  broken,  and  laid  aside  as  unfit  longer  for 
the  master's  use.  May  our  language  then  be — '  It  is  better 
to  depart  and  be  with  Christ.'  '  To  die  is  gain.'  '  I  am 
ready  to  be  offered.' 

"  These  remains  have  been  removed  by  these  gentlemen 
to  this  place,  with  the  intent,  here  to  erect  a  memento  of 
their  departed  instructer ;  and  in  doing  it  they  place  f^idc 
by  side  the  husband  and  the  wife  of  his  youth.  They 
have  been  for  many  years  separated,  but  finally  have  come 
to  enjoy  together  their  long,  silent,  and  last  slumber.  We 
suppose,  never  again  is  this  tomb  to  be  opened  until  the 
heaving  earth  shall  yield  to  the  voice  of  the  judgment 
trump.  Peace  to  these  ashes,  and  let  it  be  here  written, 
'  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.' 

"  But  while  the  marble  slab  shall  tell  who  lies  beneath 
it,  and  who  caused  it  to  be  thus  placed  and  inscribed,  let 
those  who  do  it  consider  that  there  is  another,  a  better, 
and  more  desirable  method  of  preserving  the  '  memory' 
they  love.  You  are  all  ministers, — preach  the  doctrine 
your  instructer  preached,  endure  hardships  as  he  endured, 
be  zealous  and  indefatigable  as  he  was,  forgive  enemies  as 


308  MEMOIR     OF 

he  forgave ;  do  these,  and  the  sainted  Staughton,  even  in 
heaven,  can  adopt  the  language,  once  uttered  on  earth  by 
an  inspired  Apostle — '  Ye  are  our  epistle,  written  in  our 
hearts,  known  and  read  of  all  men;  forasmuch  as  ye  are 
manifestly  declared  to  be  the  epistle  of  Christ,  ministered 
by  us,  written  not  with  ink,  but  with  the  Spirit  of  the  liv- 
ing God  ;  not  in  tables  of  stone,  but  in  fleshly  tables  of  the 
heart.'  This  beautiful  sentiment  would  then  be  a  living, 
acting,  walking  pillar  of  fame  to  the  memory  of  Dr. 
Staughton  over  the  land  ;  for  his  theological  children  are 
scattered  throughout  the  hosts  of  our  Israel. 

"  I  never  had  the  pleasure  of  a  personal  acquaintance 
with  Dr.  Staughton,  but  his  name  is  associated  with  the 
progress  of  our  denomination  in  this  region,  and  with  the 
enlargement  and  cultivation  of  learning  in  the  extensive 
sphere  he  occupied.  But  I  stand  not  here  to  pronounce, 
in  particular,  his  eulogy,  or  to  detail  minutely  his  eventful 
and  valuable  life ;  but  I  stand  here  by  the  request  of  those 
gentlemen,  once  his  students,  now  his  mourners,  who  have 
asked  of  me  a  few  remarks,  so  that  we  may  derive  profit 
from  the  melancholy  spectacle  before  our  eyes.  But  before 
retiring,  I  must  be  allowed  to  say,  that  Dr.  Staughton  was, 
as  all  who  knew  him  must  in  truth  testify,  possessed  of 
rare  and  high  natural  endowments,  and  it  is  equally  true, 
that  he  claimed  a  distinguished  degree  of  mental  superior- 
ity. His  learning  was  various,  and  of  the  first  order  ;  his 
apprehension  was  quick,  his  judgment  accurate,  his  imagi- 
nation vigorous,  bold,  fertile,  and  ready ;  his  enunciation  ' 
was  eloquent,  his  appeals  clear  and  forcible.  His  poetry 
was  classically  correct,  thrilling,  and  often  sublime.  Of 
music  he  was  a  critical  judge,  and  a  decided  amateur. 
Few  could  more  nicely  or  instantaneously  discriminate 
the  defects,  or  excellencies  of  a  performance  ;  but  his 
modesty,  and  disinclination  to  give  pain,  often  led  him  to 


DR.    S  T  A  U  G  II  T  O  N.  3D9 

forboir  expressing  his  opinions,  unless  they  were  favora- 
ble. His  friendship  was  strong,  ardent,  and  sincere.  lie 
opposed,  or  approved  with  discretion. 

He  had  many,  very  many  friends,  who  loved  him  through 
life,  unto,  and  after  death;  many  of  whom  are  now  stand- 
ing around  me,  and  can  witness  that  these  things  are  so. 
He  has  passed  away  from  us,  but  of  him  it  may  be  truly 
said — Mortalitate  relictee,  vivit  immortalitate  indutus." 

The  handsome  monument,  procured  by  his  pupils  in 
theology,  as  a  testimony  of  their  affection,  was  erected 
over  his  grave,  Jan.  4,  1834.  On  this  occasion,  the  Rev. 
R.  W.  Cushman,  offered  an  appropriate  prayer;  and  the 
Rev.  W.  E.  Ashton,  after  reading  the  inscription  on  the 
monument,  made  a  few  striking  remarks.  He  was  thus 
happy  in  his  closing  sentence : — "As  he  lived  much  be- 
loved, he  died  much  lamented.  We  may  sny  t'lat  a  great 
man  has  fallen.  Though  fallen,  yet  shall  he  rise ;  for 
'  blessed  are  the  dead,  who  die  in  the  Lord.' — '  The  Lord 
himself  shall  descend  from  heaven,  with  a  shout,  and  with 
the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump  of  God, 
and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise.'  Then  shall  our  much 
revered  and  beloved  instructer  come  forth  from  the  '  bond- 
age of  corruption,'  to  be  numbered  with  the  teachers  who 
shall  '  shine  like  the  sun  in  the  firmament,  and  having 
turned  many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  forever  and 
ever.'  " 

With  the  following  inscription  on  his  monument,  and 
Note  on  the  death  of  his  son,  we  close  the  volume. 


310  INSCRIPTION      ON     THE     MONUMENT 


First  side. 

In  plcmors  of 

REV.    WILLIAM    STAUGHTON,    D.   D. 

for  many  years 

PASTOR  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCH 

in 

Sansom-strect, 

and 

PRINCIPAL    OF    THE    BAPTIST    THEOLOGICAL    INSTITUTION 

in  this  city. 

He  was  also  the 

FIRST    CORRESPONDING    SECRETARY 

to  the 

BAPTIST     BOARD     OF     FOREIGN    MISSIONS; 

First  President  of  the 

COLUMBIAN     COLLEGE,     D.    C. 

and  at  the  time  of  his  decease 

PRESIDENT    ELECT 

of 
GEORGETOWN      COLLEGE,      KENTUCKY. 


Second 

side. 

ERECTED    BY                                                                           | 

HIS 

PUPILS 

IN   THEOLOGY, 

as  a 

Tribute 

of  Gratitude 
to 

AN    ABLE 

INSTRUCTER, 

and  a  memento  of  affection  for 

A    TRIED    FRIEND. 

o  V  r  R    DR.    staugiiton's    grave.  311 


Third  side. 

As  an  early  and  ofticicnt  friend  of 

FOREIGN  MISSIONS  ; 

As  a  most  eloquent  and  faithful 

PREACHER    OF    THE    GOSPEL; 

and 

AS      A      SKILFUL      INSTRUCTER      OF      YOUTH; 

He  devoted  the  energies  of  a  vigorous  body,  and   the  various 

erudition  of  a  fertile  mind,  to  the  service  of  his  Saviour, 

and  the  good  of  his  fellow-men,  for  more  than 

forty  years,   with   a   zeal   that   never 

appeared  weary  in  well  doing. 


Fouith  side. 

He  was  born 
IN    COVENTRY,    ENGLAND, 

JANUARY     4,     1770. 

He  rested  from  his  labors 
IX      THE      CITY    OF      W  .\  S  H  I  X  G  T  O  N ,      D.    C. 

DEC.  )2,  1829. 

In  the  GOth  year  of  his  age. 

His  remains  were  removed  to   this  city,  to  sleep    among  those 

whom  his  ministry  had    pointed    to    Heaven;    and 

here  await  the  resurrection  of  the  Just. 


NOTE,  which  ought  to  have  been  inserted  in  page  32. 

*  DR.  JAMES  M.  pTAUGHTON  departeJ  this  life  on  the  sixth  day  of  August, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1833.  ThriJUf;h  his  whole  sickness  he  enleilained  a  hope  of 
the  ineicy  ol  God,  through  Jesus  Chiist.  A  lew  minutes  before  he  expired  he  «as 
asked  the  qutslion,  "Are  ycjur  evidences  bright  now.'"  He  replied,  "generally  very 
clear,  but  sometimes  a  dark  cloud  comes."  He  puused  a  moment,  and  said,  "Oh, 
the  glory  of  God— dark!  no,  it  is  not  dark,  it  is  all  light!  The  light  of  the  Lord's 
countenance!  Kow  I  know  the  meaning  of  the  light  ol  the  Lord's  countenance  how 
bright  the  glories  of  Jesus  are!"  and  he  raised  his  dying  harrd  to  his  eyes,  as  thoirgh 
overpowered  by  the  heavenly  vision.  His  eldest  srsler  said  to  him  "Jesus  is  youi' 
frieird."  He  replied,  "He  is — he  groaned,  he  bled,  he  died  for  me,  and  I  hope, 
tliKiugh  him,  my  sins  are  forgiven.  Hope,  did  I  say  .^  I  /oioic,  through  him  my  sins 
are  /orgiven!  Come,  Lord  Jcaus,  come  quickly!  Come,  Lord — comi — come — come" 
— and  he  fell  asleep. 

1  he  following  tribute  to  his  worth  appeared  in  the  Nat.  Gaz.  of  Philadelphia. 
"  Dr.  JAMES  JM.  STAUGHTON,  whose  lamented  death  has  been  noticed  in  the  pa- 
peis  of  (his  citv,  was  well  known  to  many  of  its  inhabitants.  He  was  the  only  son  of 
the  late  Rev.  l)r.  Staughton,  whose  pulpit  fame  is  in  the  recollection  of  thousands. 
He  was  born  in  Coidenlowir,  New  Jersey,  in  the  year  1800,  bitt  received  his  education, 
borh  literary  and  medical,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  He  was  laborious  m  the  ac- 
quisrtion  of  knowledge,  and  wliric  a  strident  gave  strong  indications  of  fulrne  eminence. 
Itefore  he  received  the  degree  of  M.D,he  gave  lectures  on  iratural  philosophy,  in  a 
female  seminary  conducted  by  his  father,  that  did  him  much  credit.  While  a  pupil  in 
the  Philadelphia  Alms  Hoirse,  he  acquired  much  of  that  practical  tact  which  corn- 
mended  him  subsequerrlly  to  public  notice  as  a  physician  and  surgeon;  and  in  his  devo- 
tion to  his  duties  in  Iha't  institution,  he  well  nigh  lost  his  life  by  the  ejiideniic  typhus 
fever.  As  a  student  he  commanded  urriversal  respect;  for  he  was  kiird,  couiteoits 
and  conciliating.  He  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  integrity  and  matrly  deportment, 
qualities  which  marked  his  <haracter  to  the  close  of  life.  With  more  than  usual  credit 
be  passed  the  examination  for  the  doctorate,  and  received  bis  diplonra  from  the  Urri- 
versity  of  Penirsylvania,  in  the  year  1821.  Kot  loirg  alter  this  he  removed  to  the  city 
of  W'ashiri''ton,  tor  the  purpose  of  pursuing  his  pr  ofession,  and  there  assisted  in  lor  ru- 
ing the  Columbian  Medrcal  College,  in  which  be  held  the  professorship  of  chemistry, 
and  afterwards  that  of  surgery.  He  was  deputed  by  the  College  to  visit  Europe,  lor 
the  purpose  of  colleclmg  app.aratus  arid  books,  and  was  absent  on  that  errarrd  about  (wo 
years.  This  visit  was  partly,  also,  for  his  own  personal  advantage — for  he  availed 
himself  of  all  the  great  scienlilic  benefits  that  were  to  be  derived  from  an  acquaintance  with 
Mr  Humphrey  Davy,  |!upuylren,  t^ir  Astley  Cooper,  and  the  other  eminent  men  who 
have  given  celebrity  to  the  foreign  schools.  On  his  retrrrn  to  this  country,  he  entered 
with  new  vigor  on"  the  di>charge  of  his  professiorral  and  professorial  functions.  So 
obvious  was  his  atteirtiurr  to,  and  sirccess  in  the  former,  that  the  Hon.  Judge  .M'Lane, 
of  the  ^^upreme  Court,  who  was,  and  continued  to  be  warmly  attached  to  him,  pre- 
vailed on  him  to  consent  to  change  his  Ic/cation  for  the  city  of  Cincinnati:  and  as  a 
proof  of  his  fidelity  as  a  colle;;e  lunctionary,  he  received,  unasked,  a  decided  testi- 
monial of  approliation  from  the  institrrtiorr.  Previous  to  his  removal,  he  was  united 
in  wedlock  to  the  amiable  lady  who  is  now  his  widow,  and  who  mourns  a  loss  that 
none  can  cstrrnate  who  did  not  fully  know  hrs  worth.  Dr.  !~.  had  not  long  been  a 
resident  of  Cincrnnali,  without  gainitrg  nritch  of  the  public  favor.  His  engagirrg  man- 
ners soon  tendered  him  as  deservedly  popular  as  was  his  worthy  father  in  Philadelphia, 
in  the  most  successful  period  of  his  ministerial  labors.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the 
Lyceum  and  Mechanics'  Institute  of  Cincirrnati,  where  he  gave  some  of  the  most 
iulerestiirg  experimental  lectures  that  were  ever  delivered  in  those  institutions.  As  a 
professor  (if  surgery  in  the  Medical  College  of  Ohio,  he  acquired  a  larger  share  of 
popular  regard  than  is  ordrnarily  errjoyed;  arrd  his  attention  to  pupils  and  others  from 
remote  p  aces,  endeared  him  to  those  who  had  the  happiness  to  share  in  his  kindness. 
His  devotion  to  the  patients  in  the  Commercial  Hospital  and  Lunatic  Asylum  of  Ohio, 
will  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  live  to  bear  them  in  rcnrembinnce  ;  arrd  never 
were  gratuitous  services  more  faithfully  and  successfull)-  bestowed,  than  were  his  in  this 
establishment.  He  has  lelt  a  chasm  in  the  Medical  College  of  Ohio  that  will  not  easily 
be  filled  ;  for  he  was  not  only  an  able  professor,  but  a  promoter  of  peace  arrd  con- 
cord amon<'  his  colleagues.  His  death  has  caused  a  gloom  in  the  profession,  and  in 
the  social  circle,  that  many  years  will  not  wholly  efface.  But  alas  !  there  is  a  chasm 
more  extensive,  and  a  gluoni  nrore  heart-rending.  His  amiable  widow  and  his  two 
little  ones  are  desolate;  the  husband  is  not,  and  the  children  are  fatherless.  .>.ay 
God  temper  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lambs,  and  while  speaking  in  judgment,  be  nigh 
o  bless  with  his  tender  mercies." 


DATE  DUE 

^^BBIHIBMBS^ 

^iUij^ii^^^^ 

^^^J^s^^ 

GAYLORD 

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